How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“"Akaroa"”, the shelf

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

3,150 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
17 Dec 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1856
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 January 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1857
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 January 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1857
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 January 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1857
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 January 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 February 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 04 March 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 March 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 March 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 March 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 01 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 08 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1857
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 13 May 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 May 1857) 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
22 Aug 1857
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 August 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1857
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 August 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1857
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 29 August 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Sept 1857
Correspondence. (Lyttelton Times, 26 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1857
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1857
MARRIED. (Lyttelton Times, 21 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1857
BIRTHS. (Lyttelton Times, 16 December 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 23 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 13 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1858
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 20 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1858
Shipping News. (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1858
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1858
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Apr 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1858
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 08 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 July 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 September 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Nov 1858
ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1858
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1858
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 31 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1859
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 May 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1859
NEW ZEALAND PROVINCES. (Otago Witness, 18 June 1859) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 July 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 03 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Aug 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 31 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Sept 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 21 September 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 28 September 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 September 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 08 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · 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.

“"Akaroa"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch