How many records does the archive hold?

66,408 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.

“City hair”, the shelf

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

788 records matching 100 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 1850s
25 Jun 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Aug 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Aug 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1860s
8 Jun 1861
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1861) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH.-CLAIMS TO VOTE-1862. (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH.—CLAIMS TO VOTE—IB 62. (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
16 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1862
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1863
THE FIRST RAILWAY IN NEW ZEALAND. (Wellington Independent, 12 December 1863) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1865
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] ANOTHER FIRE IN THE OCTAGON. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1866
CLIFTON, GOLDEN BAY. (Colonist, 09 February 1866) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Apr 1866
WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 25 (Daily Southern Cross, 25 April 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1866
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Colonist, 05 June 1866) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1868
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 02 November 1868) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1869
Probincial News. (Southland Times, 15 February 1869) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1869
THIS MONTH. (West Coast Times, 03 September 1869) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1869
THE SOUTH. (Daily Southern Cross, 28 September 1869) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
12 Jan 1870
GERALDINE ROAD BOARD. (Timaru Herald, 12 January 1870) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 April 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 December 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1872
DUNEDIN, OAMARU, AND CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 15 May 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 December 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 29 March 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1873
Local and General. (Star, 18 April 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Apr 1873
Local and General. (Star, 25 April 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1873
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Timaru Herald, 02 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jul 1873
Local and General. (Star, 19 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 13 August 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1873
Local and General. (Star, 14 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 25 October 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1873
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 20 December 1873) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1873
THE Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1873. (Otago Daily Times, 25 December 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Feb 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 21 February 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Aug 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 August 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 August 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 August 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1874
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC. XXIII. GENTE HERMOSA (Continued). (Daily Southern Cross, 14 September 1874) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1874
Untitled (Auckland Star, 01 December 1874) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 December 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1874
THE Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1874. (Otago Daily Times, 19 December 1874) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 April 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 August 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1875
Untitled (Evening Post, 09 September 1875) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1875
The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1875. (Nelson Evening Mail, 13 October 1875) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1876
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 August 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1876
A SINGULAR CASE. (Marlborough Express, 20 September 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1877
THE TRADE OF OUR PORT. (Colonist, 23 January 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1877
Untitled (Colonist, 24 March 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1877
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 31 March 1877) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1877
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS (Colonist, 07 April 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1878
SNORTING. (Timaru Herald, 09 March 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1878
West Coast Time. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1878. (West Coast Times, 16 April 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1878
LOCAL AMD GENERAL. (Star, 17 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1878
Untitled (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 September 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1879
MEETING OF CREDITORS. MR. R. J. DUNCAN. (Evening Post, 05 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1879
Grand Opening Ceremonial. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1879
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
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
24 Jan 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Mar 1880
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 March 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 11 May 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1880
OAMARU. (Timaru Herald, 09 September 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 16 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 09 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Oct 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 06 October 1881) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1881
THS GENERAL ELECTIONS (Star, 02 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 13 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1882
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 20 March 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1883
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 August 1883) 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.

“City hair”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch