How many records does the archive hold?

62,792 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.

“"Somerfield"”, the shelf

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

255 records matching 99 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
17 May 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 May 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 June 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 June 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 July 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1851
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 July 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 02 August 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 August 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 August 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 August 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 September 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1851
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 September 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 04 October 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
31 Mar 1855
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
10 Feb 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 30 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
1867
City Malthouse (Former) - List No. 1902 by Melanie Lovell-Smith [Report Author] · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 1 place
the 1870s
10 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Auckland Star, 10 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 11 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 13 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 25 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
14 Feb 1880
THE BANK RETURNS. (Evening Post, 14 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1880
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 April 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1884
NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCE. (Auckland Star, 10 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1885
FIXTURES. (Observer, 18 July 1885) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1886
THE FETE IN THE DOMAIN. (Auckland Star, 18 March 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1889
FOOTBALL. (Auckland Star, 22 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
26 May 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 26 May 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1890
Sydney Championship Meeting. (Observer, 07 June 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1892
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 03 December 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1893
FOOTBALL. (Star, 15 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1894
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 June 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1895
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. (Star, 10 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1895
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 10 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1895
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. SENIOR TEAMS. (Star, 17 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1895
Out Door Sports. (Observer, 29 June 1895) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1895
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1896
FOOTBALL. (Star, 01 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1896
FOOTBALL. (Star, 22 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1896
FOOTBALL. (Star, 29 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1896
SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS. (Auckland Star, 09 September 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
the 1900s
13 Feb 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 February 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1902
ATHLETICS. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1903
Page 5 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 March 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1903
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 April 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1903
PERSONAL. (Auckland Star, 27 May 1903) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1903
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 June 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 November 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1903
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 November 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1903
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1903
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1903
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1903
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 January 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 January 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 January 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 February 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1904
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1904
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 April 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 April 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 April 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jun 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jun 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Jun 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 July 1905) 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.

“"Somerfield"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch