How many records does the archive hold?

66,408 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.

“"Cambridge Terrace"”, the shelf

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

1,096 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 1850s
1 Jan 1850
Avon River, Christchurch, 1852 by Barker, Alfred Charles, 1819-1873 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1851
Barbadoes St Cemetery plan - area 1B Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1851
Barbadoes St Cemetery plan - area 1A Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
5 Jun 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 June 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1852
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jun 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 June 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 June 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 July 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
14 Aug 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
14 Aug 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
21 Aug 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
18 Sept 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 September 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 02 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Oct 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. July 11, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
22 Oct 1853
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
12 Aug 1854
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 12 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1854
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 16 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
24 Jan 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 January 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
28 Mar 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
4 Apr 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
18 Apr 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
27 Jan 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 11 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Aug 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Aug 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
31 Aug 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 31 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
the 1860s
21 Apr 1860
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 9 places
25 Apr 1860
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
19 May 1860
JURY LIST FOR 1860. (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
6 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
9 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
13 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Jan 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 23 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 27 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Jun 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Jun 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jan 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 08 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 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
21 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1863
Barbadoes St Cemetery plan - area 2A & 2B Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
15 Oct 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 October 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1869
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 September 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1869
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 14 December 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
1 Jan 1870
Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1870
Public Library. Christchurch Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1870
Canterbury Club, Christchurch Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1870
Sketch design for proposed public library. Christchurch Canterbury Public Library architectural drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1870
Photograph: Public Buildings, Christchurch by Burton Bros · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
4 Aug 1870
Magisterial. (Star, 04 August 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1870
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 06 December 1870) 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.

“"Cambridge Terrace"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch