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.

“Riccarton Bush”, the shelf

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

616 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 1860s
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1860
RETURNED LETTERS (Lyttelton Times, 11 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 15 August 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1860
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1860
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 November 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1860
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 November 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Dec 1860
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 26 December 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Jan 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1861
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 19 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1862
Page 9 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1862
TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS. (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
5 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF HEATHCOTE—CLAIMS TO VOTE.—IB 62. (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
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 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
23 Jul 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 23 July 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 30 July 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 06 August 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 13 August 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1865
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1865
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 05 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 10 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 02 June 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1868
Local and General. (Star, 03 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1869
Local and General. (Star, 08 April 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1869
Local and General. (Star, 13 August 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
3 Sept 1870
Local and General. (Star, 03 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1871
THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF CANTERBURY. (Star, 24 January 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1873
A VISIT TO THE WEST COAST. (West Coast Times, 27 March 1873) West Coast Times · 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
11 Nov 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 November 1873) 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
12 Oct 1874
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 12 October 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 April 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1875
GENERAL SUMMARY. (Timaru Herald, 26 April 1875) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1875
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Star, 12 May 1875) Star · 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
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
14 Jan 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Otago Daily Times, 14 January 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 26 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
14 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1880) Star · 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
21 Sept 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 September 1880) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 13 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1883
LOOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 29 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
NOTES BY BEACON (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1887
OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
4 Sept 1890
THE NEW ZEALANDER AT HOME. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 07 January 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1893
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 12 January 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1893
Local & General. (Star, 23 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 16 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1895
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 November 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 03 February 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1897
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 07 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1898) Otago Witness · 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.

“Riccarton Bush”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch