How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 records about Christchurch, every one linked at the provider that keeps the original.

How far back does the archive reach?

1800, the oldest record on file.

Where do the records come from?

30 collections: council archives, Papers Past, DigitalNZ’s partners, cemetery registers, the heritage list itself. The shelf says what exists and where it lives.

Are these documents verified?

They are leads and citations, not evidence, a record says a document exists and where to read it. What a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it; those readings live on the place pages.

“"New Brighton"”, the shelf

Every record the archive holds about Christchurch, the oldest first. The originals live at the provider each row links to.

3,282 records matching 97 of these 100 with their text read Papers Past · Canterbury Stories · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Te Papa Collections Online · National Publicity Studios black and white file prints · TAPUHI · Canterbury Museum · Auckland Museum Collections · New Zealand Gazette · Digital Public Library of America · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Flickr · Hocken Digital Collections · Museums Victoria · Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photograph Collection · Wellington City Council Archives · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Images Collection · Lincoln University Living Heritage: Tikaka Tuku Iho · Flickr · Radio New Zealand · Alexander Turnbull Library Flickr · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki · Te Hikoi Museum · iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao · Manawatū Heritage · Canterbury Photography Museum · Akaroa Museum · Hawke's Bay Museum

the 1860s
16 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
19 Apr 1862
LIST OF CLAMANTS TO BE PLACED ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHEVIOT. (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 11 places
the 1870s
2 Nov 1871
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 November 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1872
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CANTERBURY MUSEUM. (Star, 22 April 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1872
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 May 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1872
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 June 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1872
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 29 November 1872) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1873
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 14 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1873
Local and General. (Star, 19 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1873
Local and General. (Star, 23 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1874
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Timaru Herald, 23 January 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1874
YESTERDAY. (Star, 26 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1874
NEW BRIGHTON. (Star, 28 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
31 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1874
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 12 February 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 February 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1874
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1874
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1874
ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING. (Star, 28 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1874
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 09 October 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 02 December 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Timaru Herald, 18 December 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 09 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1875
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 06 October 1875) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 February 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 June 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 August 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1876
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 November 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1877
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 31 March 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Apr 1877
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 04 April 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 08 September 1879) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
1 Jan 1880
Aitken & Roberts 2019 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Photograph, George Reid by Pattillo, Cecil Wright · NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
23 Jan 1880
Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 23 January 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. June 18. (North Otago Times, 19 June 1880) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 September 1880) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
21 Sept 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 September 1880) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1881
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 13 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1882
BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 17 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 18 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 31 May 1882) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 31 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1883
Heathcote Road Board. (Star, 15 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 26 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. September 6. (North Otago Times, 07 September 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 07 September 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
SCINTILLATIONS (Auckland Star, 07 September 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 September 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
HEAVY STORM IN CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 07 September 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 20 October 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read

Most of these originals are not republishable here, the link goes to the provider that keeps them. A search result is a lead, not evidence: what a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it, and those readings live on the place pages.

“"New Brighton"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch