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.

“"Sumner"”, the shelf

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

3,480 records matching 91 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
25 Sept 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 25 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1861
Tuesday, November 5. (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1861
The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1861. (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1861
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
20 Nov 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Nov 1861
THE BRANCH RAILWAY. (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1861
BIRTHS. (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1861
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1861
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1862
Sod Cottage at Ferrymead 2013 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
4 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 04 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1862
BIRTHS. (Lyttelton Times, 04 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
29 Mar 1862
TRAFFIC BETWEEN LYTTELTON AND CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 29 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Apr 1862
CHRISTCHURCH MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
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
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
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
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 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (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
7 May 1862
Page 1 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 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 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 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
19 Oct 1866
LONDON. (Otago Daily Times, 19 October 1866) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
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
1 Jan 1867
Sumner Road, Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
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
15 Nov 1867
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 November 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1868
Sumner Road, Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
20 Apr 1868
Sumner. From the Hotel, Canterbury. by Daniel Louis Mundy · Documentary Heritage · Auckland Museum Collections · Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
20 Apr 1868
Sumner. The Hotel, Canterbury. by Daniel Louis Mundy · Documentary Heritage · Auckland Museum Collections · Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
20 Apr 1868
Sumner. The Shag Rock, Canterbury. by Daniel Louis Mundy · Documentary Heritage · Auckland Museum Collections · Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
11 Aug 1868
Local and General. (Star, 11 August 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1868
Local and General. (Star, 22 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1869
NELSON REGATTA. (Colonist, 12 February 1869) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Jul 1869
Local and General. (Star, 23 July 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1869
Local and General. (Star, 30 November 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1869
Local and General. (Star, 17 December 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
1 Jan 1870
Cave Rock at Sumner Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1870
Sumner by Unknown; Messrs. F. Bradley & Co. · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1 Jan 1870
Shag Rock, Sumner Road, looking towards Christchurch by Unknown; Messrs. F. Bradley & Co. · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
30 Aug 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 August 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1870
Local and General. (Star, 15 December 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1871
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 January 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1871
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 31 January 1871) Star · 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.

“"Sumner"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch