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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

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

6,155 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
21 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 21 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 04 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1862
LIST OF UNCLAIMED LETTERS, &c, (Lyttelton Times, 11 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 08 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 29 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (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
5 Apr 1862
DEATHS. (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 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
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
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF TOWN OF LYTTELTON.- CLAIMS TO VOTE—IB 62. (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places
12 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
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 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
LIST OF CLAMANTS TO BE PLACED ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHEVIOT. (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 11 places
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 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1862
TIMARU DISTRICT ELECTORAL ROLL.—(Continued) (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1862
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (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
TIMARU DISTRICT ELECTORAL ROLL.—(Continued). (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 8 Advertisements Column 5 (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
3 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1863
Token - 1 Penny, W. Petersen, Christchurch, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1863 by Stokes (Mint) · Museums Victoria · Museums Victoria
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
29 Jul 1863
PORT OF NAPIER. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 29 July 1863) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1863
Shipping Summary. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 August 1863) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
1 Jan 1864
Token - 1 Penny, William Pratt, Dunstable House, Christchurch, New Zealand, circa 1864-1872 Museums Victoria · Museums Victoria
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
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
10 Sept 1864
CHRISTCHURCH. (Southland Times, 10 September 1864) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
20 Apr 1865
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1865
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 April 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
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
1 May 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 01 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 05 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 10 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Wellington Independent, 12 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Wellington Independent, 15 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Wellington Independent, 19 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Wellington Independent, 22 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Wellington Independent, 24 May 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 02 June 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1866
POST OF AUCKLAND. MISCELLANEOUS. (Daily Southern Cross, 25 June 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 30 June 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 25 July 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1866
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 21 August 1866) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 08 September 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 29 September 1866) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1866
LONDON. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 25th, 1866. (Otago Witness, 20 October 1866) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Nov 1866
PORT OF AUCKLAND. MISCELLANEOUS. (Daily Southern Cross, 07 November 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1866
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE PORT OF AUCKLAND. (Daily Southern Cross, 01 December 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1866
West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1866. (West Coast Times, 10 December 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 13 December 1866) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 21 December 1866) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1866
PORT OF AUCKLAND. MISCELLANEOUS. (Daily Southern Cross, 26 December 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1867
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 10 January 1867) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1867
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 02 March 1867) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1867
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 05 March 1867) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1867
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 12 March 1867) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1867
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 14 March 1867) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1867
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Wellington Independent, 21 March 1867) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1867
PORT OF AUCKLAND. (Daily Southern Cross, 01 April 1867) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1867
THE MOORHOUSE TUNNEL. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1867) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch