How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Window of Opportunity”, the shelf

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

376 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
5 Aug 1854
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
19 Aug 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1857
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 01 July 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1860s
29 Jan 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1864
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1865
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Apr 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 04 April 1868) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1869
NELSON REGATTA. (Colonist, 12 February 1869) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Feb 1869
Probincial News. (Southland Times, 15 February 1869) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
15 Feb 1870
NEW ZEALAND INTELLIGENCE (Colonist, 15 February 1870) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1870
Local and General. (Star, 29 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1872
I SOUTHERN NEWS. I (CLIPPED FROM PAPERS BY THE 'PHOEBE.') (Daily Southern Cross, 19 April 1872) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1873
THE Daily Southern Cross. (Daily Southern Cross, 18 February 1873) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1873
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 May 1873) Otago Witness · 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
22 Nov 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 22 November 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1874
THE Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1874. (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1874) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 07 November 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1874) Otago Witness · 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 Feb 1875
LYTTELTON. (Star, 03 February 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 June 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 November 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1877
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1877) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1878) Star · 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
10 Dec 1878
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 10 December 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 31 December 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1879
Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA-RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER, "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1879. (Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1879) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
16 Jul 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
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
18 Jun 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 31 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1880
THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. (Star, 22 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1881
THE MOUNT VIEW ASYLUM. (Evening Post, 16 February 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
20 Apr 1882
OPENING OP THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 27 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 26 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 October 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1883
Local & General (Star, 03 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Sept 1884
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 05 September 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
3 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
THE SYDENHAM ELECTION, (Evening Post, 17 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1887
SPORTING NEWS. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1887
AUSTRALIA." (Evening Post, 24 November 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 18 February 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1888
Evening Post. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1888. (Evening Post, 15 September 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 October 1888) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1889
A TRIP TO THE EXHIBITION (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 December 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1891
LOCAL AND GNEERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 26 March 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1891) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1892
Evenig Post. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1892. HUMILITY IN HOUSE BUILDING. (Evening Post, 05 March 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Apr 1892
Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1992. (Evening Post, 09 April 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“Window of Opportunity”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch