How many records does the archive hold?

69,585 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.

“"Oxford Street"”, the shelf

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

1,068 records matching 97 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
8 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 08 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1862
Page 8 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 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 22 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 08 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 29 March 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 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
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
30 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
17 May 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1867
THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 22 January 1867) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1868
Early Oxford Street seen from Cashel Street by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
9 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 February 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1869
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 August 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1869
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 August 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Aug 1869
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 August 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1870s
2 Nov 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 November 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1870
CANTERBURY PROVINCE. FEARFUL FIRE AT LYTTELTON. (Colonist, 04 November 1870) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1870
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 November 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 December 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1873
Local and General. (Star, 03 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1875
Warder's House (Former) - List No. 7533 by Pam Wilson [Report Author] · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 2 places
20 Jan 1875
THE MURDER IN LYTTELTON. (Star, 20 January 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1875
THE MURDER IN LYTTELTON. (Timaru Herald, 22 January 1875) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1875
LYTTELTON. (Star, 03 February 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1875
THE MURDER IN LYTTELTON. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1875) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Apr 1875
LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 08 April 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
10 Jun 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 10 June 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 17 June 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 24 June 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 08 July 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 15 July 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 05 August 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 12 August 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 19 August 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 26 August 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 02 September 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1876
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 09 September 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1877
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 May 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1879
Page 27 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 07 June 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
5 May 1880
OUR DEAF AND DUMB. (Star, 05 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (West Coast Times, 20 November 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (West Coast Times, 04 December 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 01 April 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 January 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 09 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 23 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Lyttelton1481. Lyttelton New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
29 Mar 1890
COMMERCIAL. (Star, 29 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 13 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 15 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 20 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 29 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 05 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 08 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 10 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 06 December 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 20 December 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1894
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1894
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 August 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 29 August 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
30 Jan 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 January 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
6 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“"Oxford Street"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch