How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

9,848 records matching 73 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 1850s
11 Dec 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
11 Dec 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
18 Dec 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1853
LYTTELTON. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 15 January 1853) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
22 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
22 Jan 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
29 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1853
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1853
Untitled (Lyttelton Times, 19 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 19 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
26 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1853
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 12 March 1853) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
26 Mar 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1853
Untitled (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
9 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
16 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
16 Apr 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
23 Apr 1853
SHIPPING NEWS. (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
30 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
7 May 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
7 May 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
14 May 1853
CHRISTCHURCH MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
14 May 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
21 May 1853
CHRISTCHURCH MARKET. (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 May 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
28 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
4 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
4 Jun 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
11 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
18 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
18 Jun 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
25 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF LYTTELTON. (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
9 Jul 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1853
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1853
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH, July 5th, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
16 Jul 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
23 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. July 11, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
23 Jul 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1853
The Lyttelton Times. July 30, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
30 Jul 1853
CHRISTCHURCH CATTLE SHOW (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand

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