How many records does the archive hold?

77,260 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.

“The Well”, the shelf

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

15,382 records matching 98 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
9 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1862
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Apr 1862
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (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 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
19 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (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
23 Apr 1862
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (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 2 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 1 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 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 2 Advertisements Column 5 (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
30 Apr 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1862
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 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
17 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1862
GENERAL ASSEMBLY. (Wellington Independent, 30 August 1862) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
22 Sept 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 22 September 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 14 November 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 15 November 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1863
PUBLIC WORKS.-CANTERBURY. (FROM THE "LYTTELTON TIMES.") (Daily Southern Cross, 05 February 1863) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1863
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 18 February 1863) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1863
THE CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Wellington Independent, 23 April 1863) Wellington Independent · 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
29 Sept 1863
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 29 September 1863) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1863
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 04 November 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
2 Dec 1863
CANTERBURY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (Daily Southern Cross, 02 December 1863) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1863
THE FIRST RAILWAY IN NEW ZEALAND. (Wellington Independent, 12 December 1863) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
20 Feb 1864
Page 24 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 20 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1864
Page 23 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Witness, 05 March 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1864
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 08 March 1864) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Mar 1864
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 09 March 1864) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1864
Page 22 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 19 March 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
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
11 Aug 1864
CHRISTCHURCH COMMERCIAL. (Southland Times, 11 August 1864) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1864
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 13 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
10 Sept 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 10 September 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 10 September 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 17 September 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1864
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 24 September 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 September 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 24 September 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1864
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 01 October 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 01 October 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1864
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 15 October 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1864
THE Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 07 November 1864) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 Nov 1864
Letter to Mary, 24th November 1864 Rowley family letters · Canterbury Stories · no. 71258 · Christchurch City Libraries
24 Nov 1864
Letter to Mary, 24th November 1864 Rowley family letters · Canterbury Stories · no. 71259 · Christchurch City Libraries
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
15 Mar 1865
NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, March 15, 1865. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 15 March 1865) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · 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

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.

“The Well”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch