How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“Station One”, the shelf

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

4,279 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
14 Dec 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 18 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1862
Photograph, Captain William Stevens and Frances Emma Stevens. NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
1 Jan 1862
Photograph, Captain William Stevens NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
15 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 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 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
1 Feb 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 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
5 Feb 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 08 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 08 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (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
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 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
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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (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 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 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (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
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
3 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 2 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
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1862
RAILWAY FROM CHRISTCHURCH TO FERRY (Southland Times, 21 November 1862) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1863
Photograph: First Christchurch Railway Station Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1863
Photograph: Ferrymead Station Christchurch Railway 1863 by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
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
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
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
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
24 Sept 1864
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (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
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
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
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
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
15 Apr 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 15 April 1865) Timaru Herald · 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
5 Jan 1866
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL EXTENSION BILL, 1865. (Timaru Herald, 05 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
13 Apr 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 13 June 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1866
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 16 June 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1866
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 18 June 1866) West Coast Times · 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
24 Apr 1867
POST OFFICE NOTICE. (Timaru Herald, 24 April 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1867
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 25 May 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1867
CULTIVATION OF CHICORY. (Timaru Herald, 01 June 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1867
PORT OF AUCKLAND. (Daily Southern Cross, 24 June 1867) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1867
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Timaru Herald, 26 June 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1867
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1867
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 19 July 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1867
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 02 August 1867) West Coast Times · 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.

“Station One”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch