How many records does the archive hold?

80,797 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.

607 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 1880s
25 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1882
The Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 28 November 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1883
OPENING OF THE LYTTELTON GRAVING DOCK. (Marlborough Express, 03 January 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1883
THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 February 1883) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 09 March 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 29 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 July 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 26 October 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1883
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 December 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 15 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1884
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 01 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1884
ANGLO-COLONIAL SUMMARY. (Star, 25 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Sept 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 30 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 29 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1885. (West Coast Times, 15 April 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH RETURNS. (Evening Post, 17 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 31 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1885
Local & General. (Star, 16 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
The Magdalen Asylum. (Star, 19 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1886
THE CARDINAL ARCHBISHOP OP SYDNEY IN CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 26 February 1886) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 05 April 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1886
ORDINARY MEETING. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Local & General. (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1886
INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS (Wanganui Herald, 05 July 1886) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jul 1886
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
LEAVES FROM LETTERS BY W. A. MURRAY. (Clutha Leader, 24 September 1886) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
The Timaru Herald. NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 27 November 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1886
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1886. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 December 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1887
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jun 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Tuapeka Times, 15 June 1887) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1887
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. [N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INTERPROVINCIAL. (West Coast Times, 20 August 1887) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1888
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 March 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1888
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 03 July 1888) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1888
TEMPERANCE. (Star, 24 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1888
Local & General. (Star, 20 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 15 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1889
The Social World. (Observer, 29 June 1889) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1889
Local &.General. (Star, 20 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 November 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
20 Jan 1890
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1890. (Auckland Star, 20 January 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 10 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 June 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1890
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1890. (Otago Daily Times, 08 July 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 28 July 1890) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1890
Local & General. (Star, 08 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 29 August 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1890
Local & General, (Star, 20 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Dec 1890
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1890 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 December 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1891
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1891) 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