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.

“Cotton On”, the shelf

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

518 records matching 97 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
14 Feb 1852
PASSAGE OF THE "WILLIAM HYDE." (Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 June 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 June 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 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
10 Sept 1853
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 September 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 November 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 January 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1854
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 March 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 June 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1854
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 June 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1854
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1854
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1854
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1855
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 May 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1856
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1856
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 November 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Dec 1856
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Dec 1856
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 27 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Feb 1857
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 07 February 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1857
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 11 February 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1857
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 February 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 03 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
10 Apr 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 19 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 July 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 25 August 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Aug 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 December 1859) 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
12 May 1860
Shipping News. (Lyttelton Times, 12 May 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jun 1860
CANTERBURY. (Wellington Independent, 08 June 1860) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 27 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Sept 1860
SUPREME COURT.-Criminal Sittings. (Lyttelton Times, 05 September 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1860
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 November 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1862
Photograph, Ambrotype, Fisher family NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
4 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 04 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 08 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 11 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1862
LIST OF UNCLAIMED LETTERS, &c, (Lyttelton Times, 11 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1862
M. REUTER. (Otago Daily Times, 05 February 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 08 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
13 Feb 1864
Page 24 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 13 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1864
Page 24 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 20 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1864
Page 23 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Witness, 05 March 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1864
Page 22 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 19 March 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1865
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1865
Letter to Mary, 22nd April 1865 Rowley family letters · Canterbury Stories · no. 71260 · Christchurch City Libraries
22 Apr 1865
Letter to Mary, 22nd April 1865 Rowley family letters · Canterbury Stories · no. 71261 · Christchurch City Libraries
13 Jul 1865
LATEST TELEGRAMS.London, May 2. (Evening Post, 13 July 1865) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1866
WEDNESDAY, APRIL, 25 (Daily Southern Cross, 25 April 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1867
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 29 May 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1867
PORT OF AUCKLAND. MISCELLANEOUS. (Daily Southern Cross, 27 June 1867) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1867
THE MOORHOUSE'TUNNEL (Hawke's Bay Herald, 02 July 1867) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1868
Local and General. (Star, 22 September 1868) Star · 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.

“Cotton On”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch