How many records does the archive hold?

79,613 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.

“Presented to the People of Lyttelton and the Canterbury”, the shelf

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

606 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 1870s
5 Aug 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 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
21 Oct 1874
DIOCESAN SYNOD. (Star, 21 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Nov 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 07 November 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1875) Otago Witness · 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
16 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 16 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1875
Telegrams. (Otago Witness, 27 March 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1875
West Cost Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1875. (West Coast Times, 29 June 1875) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1875
PARLIAMENTARY. [BY TELEGRAPH.] [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. (Daily Southern Cross, 26 August 1875) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 25 December 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1876
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1876. (West Coast Times, 05 September 1876) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1876
SUPREME COURT. (Timaru Herald, 13 December 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1876
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1876) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1877
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 January 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1877
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 17 January 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1877
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1877. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1878
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 16 February 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1878
LOOAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1878
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1878
Evening Post. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1878. (Evening Post, 23 May 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 July 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
7 Sept 1878
OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN RAILWAY. (Star, 07 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 November 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 December 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1878
BOXING DAY. (Star, 27 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1879
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 03 April 1879) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
24 May 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 04 August 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1879
Hawke's Bay Herald. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1879. RESULT OF THE ELECTIONS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 15 September 1879) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
9 Jan 1880
CARANDINI CONCERTS. (Taranaki Herald, 09 January 1880) Taranaki Herald · 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
13 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 13 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1880
Untitled (West Coast Times, 06 April 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1880
Untitled (Otago Daily Times, 30 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1880
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 July 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 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
3 Aug 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Oct 1880
MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 09 October 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1880
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880. (West Coast Times, 12 October 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1880
CHRISTOHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 04 November 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1880
WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING. (Star, 26 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1880
ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. (Timaru Herald, 17 December 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1880
RATTRAY STREET, DUNEDIN The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 18 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1880
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (West Coast Times, 27 December 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1880
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES'FERE. (Star, 28 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1880
ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. (Timaru Herald, 29 December 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1881
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1881. (Otago Daily Times, 14 January 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1881
Local and General. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 February 1881) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1881
THE PROPERTY TAX RETURNS. (Evening Post, 28 March 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1881
Local & General. (Star, 23 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 28 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Aug 1881
Local & General. (Star, 27 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 29 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1881
THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1881) Otago Witness · 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
9 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 09 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 10 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 23 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1882
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 30 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
29 Apr 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
6 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 06 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1882
COLLING WOOD. (Colonist, 15 June 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 24 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1882
Local & General. (Star, 10 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 15 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 23 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882. (Star, 25 August 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
1 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 01 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 20 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1882
LOOAL & GENEEAL. (Otago Witness, 30 September 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 October 1882) 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.

“Presented to the People of Lyttelton and the Canterbury”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch