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.

“Off & On”, the shelf

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

6,851 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 1860s
12 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1861
Tuesday, November 5. (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1861
The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1861. (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1861
THE BRANCH RAILWAY. (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1861
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Jan 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1862
GEOLOGY OF OTAGO. (Otago Daily Times, 31 January 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
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 Feb 1862
M. REUTER. (Otago Daily Times, 05 February 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
9 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH.-CLAIMS TO VOTE-1862. (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 09 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
12 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
16 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1862
The Daily Southern Cross. UNKNOWN. (Daily Southern Cross, 12 September 1862) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1863
CANTERBURY. (Otago Daily Times, 19 June 1863) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1863
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1863) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1864
Photograph: Panorama of Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · no. 804951 · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1864
Photograph: Panorama of Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · no. 804952 · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1864
Photograph: Panorama of Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · no. 804949 · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1864
Photograph: Panorama of Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · no. 804950 · Canterbury Museum
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
7 May 1864
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 07 May 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
2 Jul 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 30 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
20 Aug 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 20 August 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 27 August 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 03 September 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1864
CHRISTCHURCH. (Southland Times, 08 September 1864) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1864
CHRISTCHURCH. (Southland Times, 13 September 1864) Southland Times · 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
24 Dec 1864
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 24 December 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1865
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 28 January 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1865
NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. No. V. (Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1865) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1865
NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. No. V. MINING, QUARRYING, METALLURGY, AND MINERAL PRODUCTS. (Otago Witness, 25 February 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1865
THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam" DUNEDIN, MONDAY, MARCH 6. (Otago Daily Times, 06 March 1865) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1865
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] ANOTHER FIRE IN THE OCTAGON. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1865
News of the Week. [from the daily times.] (Otago Witness, 24 March 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1865
THE HILLSBOROUGH ENCAMPMENT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 29 April 1865) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1865
DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1865) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1865) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 02 September 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 21 October 1865) Timaru Herald · 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
9 Dec 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 09 December 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1866
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Timaru Herald, 19 January 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1866
CLIFTON, GOLDEN BAY. (Colonist, 09 February 1866) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Mar 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 09 March 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 23 March 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 10 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1866
CHRISTCHURCH, (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 19 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 24 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1866
WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 25 (Daily Southern Cross, 25 April 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 26 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 28 April 1866) Wellington Independent · 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.

“Off & On”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch