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.

“Christchurch Tramway”, the shelf

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

1,017 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 1850s
15 Oct 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1854
Untitled (Lyttelton Times, 24 June 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1855
The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, Sept. 29. (Lyttelton Times, 29 September 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1855
CORRESPONDENCE. (Lyttelton Times, 03 October 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1855
Chapter II.—The River. (Lyttelton Times, 07 November 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1855
Chapter IV.-The Rail. (Lyttelton Times, 07 November 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1856
PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ROAD QUESTION. (Lyttelton Times, 26 November 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Sept 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 14 September 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1859
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1860s
29 Jun 1861
SOMETHING LIKE A SCHEME. (Lyttelton Times, 29 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1862
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1863
PUBLIC WORKS.-CANTERBURY. (FROM THE "LYTTELTON TIMES.") (Daily Southern Cross, 05 February 1863) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1864
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 24 December 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1865
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1866
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 16 June 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1866
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 18 June 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 18 July 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 22 September 1866) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1866
West Coast Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1866. (West Coast Times, 10 December 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1867
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Timaru Herald, 26 June 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1867
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 02 August 1867) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1868
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Wellington Independent, 25 January 1868) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1868
West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1868. (West Coast Times, 04 May 1868) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1868
TAPANUI. (Bruce Herald, 29 July 1868) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1868
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 02 November 1868) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1869
Local and General. (Star, 12 May 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1869
THIS MONTH. (West Coast Times, 03 September 1869) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1869
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 23 October 1869) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1869
Provincial Council. (Star, 29 October 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1870s
24 Feb 1870
Untitled (West Coast Times, 24 February 1870) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1870
NEW ZEALAND INTELLIGENCE. (Colonist, 29 March 1870) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 May 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 16 May 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1871
NEW ZEALAND GENERAL NEWS. (Colonist, 24 November 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1871
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 13 December 1871) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1871
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 22 December 1871) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1872
NEW ZEALAND.-GENERAL NEWS. (Colonist, 16 February 1872) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1872
EVENTS OF THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 09 March 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1872
NEWS OF THE DAY (Colonist, 12 March 1872) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1872
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 12 March 1872) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1872
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 16 March 1872) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1872
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION. (Star, 01 June 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1872
STREET TRAMWAY. (Star, 02 October 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1872
Local and General. (Star, 22 November 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1873
MAGISTERIAL (Star, 03 March 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1873
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 17 October 1873) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 22 November 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1874
LYTTELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 04 March 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1874
THE BELFAST MEAT FACTORY. (Star, 20 March 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1874
Untitled (Wellington Independent, 02 May 1874) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1874
AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Timaru Herald, 19 October 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Nov 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Grey River Argus, 06 November 1874) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Grey River Argus, 07 November 1874) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Grey River Argus, 10 November 1874) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Grey River Argus, 11 November 1874) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Timaru Herald, 18 December 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1875
THE MURDER IN LYTTELTON. (Star, 20 January 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1875
THE MURDER IN LYTTELTON. (Timaru Herald, 22 January 1875) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1875
LYTTELTON. (Star, 03 February 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1875
THE MURDER IN LYTTELTON. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1875) Timaru Herald · 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
27 Oct 1875
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 27 October 1875) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1876
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 10 May 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1876
Evening Post. FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1876. (Evening Post, 12 May 1876) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
8 Nov 1876
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS (Marlborough Express, 08 November 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1876
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 16 November 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1876
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 28 November 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Grey River Argus, 24 April 1877) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 May 1877
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 30 May 1877) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Oct 1877
SUPREME COURT CASES. (Colonist, 20 October 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. March 12. (North Otago Times, 13 March 1878) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. 19th March. (Evening Post, 19 March 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1878
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1878. (Marlborough Express, 13 April 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 July 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
20 Jan 1879
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 20 January 1879) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1879
TELEGRAPHIC. (Auckland Star, 06 February 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 07 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1879
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION. (Evening Post, 07 March 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 08 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 12 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 14 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 17 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 19 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 20 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 21 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 22 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 26 March 1879) Grey River Argus · 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.

“Christchurch Tramway”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch