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.

“Armstrong”, the shelf

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

1,022 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
1 Jan 1850
Family portrait Smyth family collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1853) 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
15 Apr 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 15 April 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 April 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 April 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 May 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 May 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 May 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 June 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 June 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 01 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
8 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Jul 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 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
30 Mar 1858
toCleanings of News. FROM ENGLISH PAPERS TO 16TH DECEMBER. (Colonist, 30 March 1858) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1858
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 31 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 18 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
14 Apr 1860
LIST OF UNCLAIMED LETTERS, FOR QUARTER. ENDING 31st MARCH, 1860. (Lyttelton Times, 14 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 September 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 September 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1860
RETURNED LETTERS (Lyttelton Times, 13 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1861
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 19 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1861
RETURNED LETTERS. (Lyttelton Times, 06 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1861
BIRTHS. (Lyttelton Times, 06 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1861
LIST OF UNCLAIMED LETTERS, &c., (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1861
Tuesday, November 5. (Lyttelton Times, 09 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
22 Mar 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
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
30 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Mar 1865
THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam" DUNEDIN, MONDAY, MARCH 6. (Otago Daily Times, 06 March 1865) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 16 September 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 11 November 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1866
CLIFTON, GOLDEN BAY. (Colonist, 09 February 1866) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Apr 1866
THE NEW PARLIAMENT. (North Otago Times, 05 April 1866) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1867
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 12 October 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1868
Local and General. (Star, 03 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1869
Probincial News. (Southland Times, 15 February 1869) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1869
AKAROA. (Star, 27 February 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jul 1869
THE DIVISION. (Timaru Herald, 03 July 1869) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
15 Dec 1870
Local and General. (Star, 15 December 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Feb 1871
Local and General. (Star, 09 February 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1872
Local and General. (Star, 20 March 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1872
I SOUTHERN NEWS. I (CLIPPED FROM PAPERS BY THE 'PHOEBE.') (Daily Southern Cross, 19 April 1872) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1872
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CANTERBURY MUSEUM. (Star, 22 April 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1872
CANTERBURY MUSEUM. (Star, 14 October 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
18 Apr 1873
Local and General. (Star, 18 April 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1873
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1873) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1873
THE LATE MR, H. REDWOOD. (Colonist, 24 June 1873) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1873
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 14 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1873
SOCIAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 September 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1874
YESTERDAY. (Star, 27 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 March 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 September 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 09 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 February 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1875
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 06 March 1875) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1875
Telegrams. (Otago Witness, 27 March 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1876
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 June 1876) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1876
A SINGULAR CASE. (Marlborough Express, 20 September 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1876
SUPREME COURT. (Timaru Herald, 13 December 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1877
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 06 October 1877) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 18. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 June 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH CITY GUARDS. (Star, 29 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1879
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 01 March 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1879
news of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 April 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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.

“Armstrong”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch