How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“"Lyttelton"”, the shelf

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

15,113 records matching 96 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 1890s
19 Nov 1896
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1896
MR C. LEWIS AT THE TEMPLE OF TRUTH. (Star, 19 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1896
MR COLLINS AT ADDINGTON. (Star, 21 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1896
SWIMMING. (Star, 23 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1896
ELECTORAL. (Star, 23 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1896
DR FOSTER. (Star, 23 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1896
CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION. (Star, 27 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1896
Untitled (Star, 01 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1896
ELECTORAL. (Star, 03 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1896
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. (Star, 07 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1896
THE NEW PARLIAMENT (Otago Witness, 10 December 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1896
A trip to the Lighthouse, Godley Heads, Lyttelton by New Zealand Graphic · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
22 Dec 1896
SWIMMING ASSOCIATION. (Evening Post, 22 December 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 22 December 1896) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1896
NEW ZEALAND SWIMMING ASSOCIATION. (Auckland Star, 22 December 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1896
SWIMMING ASSOCIATION. (Timaru Herald, 22 December 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
LITTLE RIVER REGATTA. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 December 1896) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1897
Baker's Bay, now Magazine Bay, in Lyttelton Harbour Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Images Collection · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
2 Jan 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1897
SWIMMING NOTES. (Star, 08 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
POST OFFICE NOTICES. (Otago Daily Times, 11 January 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1897
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 13 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1897
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 13 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1897
DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 15 January 1897) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1897
SPORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, January 15. (North Otago Times, 16 January 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1897
LORD BRASSEY'S ARRIVAL. (Star, 23 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1897
Snapshots at the Lyttelton regatta by New Zealand Graphic · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · no. 114461 · Auckland Libraries
23 Jan 1897
Snapshots at the Lyttelton regatta by New Zealand Graphic · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · no. 116386 · Auckland Libraries
25 Jan 1897
SUMNER BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 25 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1897
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS. (Star, 27 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1897
LITTELTON HARBOUR BOARD.L (Star, 01 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1897
SPORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, February 3. (North Otago Times, 05 February 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1897
SPORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, February 6. (North Otago Times, 06 February 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 08 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1897
RICHMOND AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB. (Star, 08 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 09 February 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1897
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1897. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 February 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1897
LYTTELTON. (Star, 09 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1897
CHRISTCHURCH SUPREME COURT. THE OPAWA MANSLAUGHTER CASE BREAKS DOWN. [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, THIS DAY. (Evening Post, 16 February 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1897
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 16 February 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1897
CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. (Star, 18 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1897
CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. (Star, 19 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1897
SYDENHAM CLUB'S SPORTS. (Star, 22 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1897
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 22 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 22 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1897
SWIMMING. (Star, 01 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1897
Wesleyan Conterence. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 08 March 1897) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 09 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1897
ORDER OP ODDFELLOWS. (Star, 12 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1897
CATHOLIC PICNIC. (Star, 18 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL. (Star, 18 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1897
LOCAL AKD GENERAL. (Star, 20 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 20 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1897
NEW BRIGHTON NOTES. (Star, 03 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1897
OBITUARY (Star, 09 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1897
UNION ROWING CLUB. (Star, 10 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1897
LOCAL ACT GENERAL. (Star, 22 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1897
A Trip South. (Feilding Star, 27 April 1897) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1897
OBITUARY. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
THE PRISONER CONFESSES. (Otago Witness, 06 May 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 06 May 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1897
TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. DAIRY INDUSTRY. (Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1897
LOCAL ACT GENERAL. (Star, 27 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1897
HAWKE'S BAY RELIEF FUND. (Star, 27 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 28 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1897
A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1897
REVISED CRICKET RECORDS. (Otago Witness, 03 June 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1897
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 09 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 June 1897) Star · 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.

“"Lyttelton"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch