How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“"Exeter Street"”, the shelf

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

90 records matching 84 of these 90 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 Nov 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 01 November 1851) 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 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
14 Aug 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Aug 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
28 Aug 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Apr 1853
SHIPPING NEWS. (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF LYTTELTON. (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
16 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH, July 5th, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 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
22 Jul 1854
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF LYTTELTON. (Lyttelton Times, 22 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 13 places
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
4 Apr 1855
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 04 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Oct 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 October 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Nov 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 17 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1860s
21 Apr 1860
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 15 places
25 Apr 1860
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 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 1 (Lyttelton Times, 06 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (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 4 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Jul 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
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
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
30 Apr 1862
Page 2 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 4 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Oct 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 October 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 October 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
21 Apr 1870
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 April 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 May 1871
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 February 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 February 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 February 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1875
LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 08 April 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
the 1880s
19 Jul 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
10 Jan 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 October 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
15 Apr 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Dec 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 April 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 May 1908
ASSESSMENT COURT. (Star, 28 May 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Aug 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 August 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1909
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 December 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1910s
23 Aug 1915
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 23 August 1915) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1940s
7 Jun 1941
DEATHS. (Evening Post, 07 June 1941) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1941
TODAY'S LIST (Evening Post, 14 June 1941) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1941
N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 17 September 1941) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1941
N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 09 December 1941) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1942
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 02 January 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Feb 1942
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 21 February 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jul 1942
N.Z.E.F. ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 31 July 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
17 Jun 1944
BRAVERY IN ITALY (Evening Post, 17 June 1944) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1945
INTERNEES SAFE (Evening Post, 06 October 1945) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1990s
1 Jan 1990
Oxford Street houses Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 2 places
the 2000s
27 May 2004
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
the 2010s
30 Dec 2010
Damage to St Joseph's Church in Lyttelton Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 2011
Digital Photograph: Former Convent of Our Lady of Mercy, Exeter Street, and St Joseph's Church, Winchester Street, Lyttelton by Michael Davies · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum · about 2 places
1 Jan 2011
Effects of the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 in Lyttelton, 16 June 2011 TAPUHI · Alexander Turnbull Library · about 2 places
1 Jan 2011
Effects of the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, particularly in Lyttelton TAPUHI · Alexander Turnbull Library · about 1 place
26 May 2011
Collapsed wall on corner of Exeter and Oxford Streets by Michael Williams · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
18 Dec 2013
List of Independent Marriage and Civil Union Celebrants New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 30 places
12 Dec 2014
List of Independent Marriage and Civil Union Celebrants New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 33 places
13 Sept 2018
Notice of Intention to Remove Companies From the Companies Register New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 2 places

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.

“"Exeter Street"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch