How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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.

“H&M”, the shelf

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

11,588 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 1860s
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 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 19 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
1 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1862
SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND. (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (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
15 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 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 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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 5 (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 5 (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
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
9 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (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 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (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 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 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
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
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
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 1 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
3 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 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
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
3 Jan 1863
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 January 1863) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1863
CHRISTCHURCH. (Southland Times, 10 February 1863) Southland Times · 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
14 Nov 1863
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1863) Otago Witness · 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
13 Feb 1864
Page 24 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 13 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
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
25 Jun 1864
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 25 June 1864) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · 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
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
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 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
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
11 Mar 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 11 March 1865) Timaru Herald · 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
20 Apr 1865
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1865
Page 3 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
22 Apr 1865
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1865
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 22 July 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 12 August 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
23 Nov 1865
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Wellington Independent, 23 November 1865) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1866
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 06 January 1866) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1866
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Timaru Herald, 19 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
9 Mar 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 09 March 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 23 March 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1866
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 31 March 1866) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1866
THE NEW PARLIAMENT. (North Otago Times, 05 April 1866) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 Apr 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 13 April 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 14 April 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 17 April 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 19 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1866
WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 25 (Daily Southern Cross, 25 April 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1866
CHRISTCHURCH STEEPLECHASES. (Timaru Herald, 11 May 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1866
CHRISTCHURCH STEEPLECHASE. (Evening Post, 12 May 1866) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1866) Timaru 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.

“H&M”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch