How many records does the archive hold?

60,434 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.

3,135 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 1840s
22 Aug 1849
THE "Wellington Independent." Wednesday, August 22, 1849. (Wellington Independent, 22 August 1849) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1849
Untitled (Daily Southern Cross, 28 September 1849) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1850s
18 Jan 1851
No. I.—THE BRIDLE-PATH TO THE PERRY (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1851
WALKS ON THE ROADS. (Wellington Independent, 19 February 1851) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Mar 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1851
RURAL SECTIONS CHOSEN. (Lyttelton Times, 15 March 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1851
RURAL SECTIONS CHOSEN. (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 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 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 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
30 Aug 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 August 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 04 October 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 October 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Oct 1851
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 October 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 15 November 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 November 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1851
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 November 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1851
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 December 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1852
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 January 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1852
Page 9 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 January 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1852
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1852
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 February 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 03 April 1852) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1852
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1852
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1852
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 01 May 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1852
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
10 Jul 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 July 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1852
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 31 July 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 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
14 Aug 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Aug 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
21 Aug 1852
Untitled (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
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
2 Oct 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
27 Nov 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
9 Jul 1853
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 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 Jul 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 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
23 Jul 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Aug 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 August 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 August 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1853
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTIONS. (Lyttelton Times, 03 September 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 September 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 15 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1853
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1853
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 February 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 February 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1854
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 March 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 March 1854) Lyttelton Times · 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.

“"Sumner"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch