How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

15,082 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 1880s
17 Mar 1885
Fires. (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 March 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 24 March 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 26 March 1885) Thames 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
4 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1885
Papakura Races. (Auckland Star, 13 April 1885) Auckland 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
13 Apr 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 April 1885) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1885. (West Coast Times, 15 April 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 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
18 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
The Volunteers. (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 27 April 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1885
DEFENCE. (Grey River Argus, 02 May 1885) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1885
BLENHEIM. (North Otago Times, 04 May 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1885
ALL NATIONS BAZAAR, CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 May 1885) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1885
Defence of the Colony. (Star, 11 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Daily Telegraph, 14 May 1885) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1885
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 15 May 1885) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 15 May 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Kaiapoi Borough Council. (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 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
26 May 1885
THE BATTLE OF LYTTELTON. (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1885
Our Volunteer Force. (Star, 01 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
A Visit to the Lyttelton Batteries. (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jun 1885
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 08 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 12 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 June 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
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1885
The Proposed Subsidies. (Star, 27 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 30 June 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1885
Local and General. (Star, 04 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 July 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Tuapeka Times, 11 July 1885) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 14 July 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH RETURNS. (Evening Post, 17 July 1885) Evening Post · 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
20 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 20 July 1885) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
THE PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. (Evening Post, 21 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 23 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 July 1885) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 27 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 August 1885) Star · 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.

“"Lyttelton"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch