How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“Forty Two”, the shelf

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

975 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
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
22 Apr 1854
REPORT (Lyttelton Times, 22 April 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
5 Jan 1856
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1856
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 January 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1857
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 13 May 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Sept 1857
Correspondence. (Lyttelton Times, 26 September 1857) 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
24 Dec 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 February 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1859
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 February 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Feb 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Mar 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Dec 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 31 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1860s
11 Jan 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 11 January 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1860
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 04 August 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1860
CANTERBURY RIFLE CORPS. (Lyttelton Times, 12 September 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1860
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1860
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 24 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 31 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 December 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 20 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 May 1861
SUMMARY FOR Europe & Australia PER S. S. "LORD WORSLEY." (Wellington Independent, 07 May 1861) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1861
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1861) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jul 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
13 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
15 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1862
GEOLOGY OF OTAGO. (Otago Daily Times, 31 January 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
1 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 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
12 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
14 Nov 1863
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1863) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
18 Mar 1865
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] ANOTHER FIRE IN THE OCTAGON. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1865) Otago Witness · 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
5 Jan 1866
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL EXTENSION BILL, 1865. (Timaru Herald, 05 January 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 10 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 14 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 17 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Wellington Independent, 19 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 21 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 24 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 26 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 28 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1866
PORT OF HOKITIKA. (West Coast Times, 01 October 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1867
CHRISTCHURCH, (Timaru Herald, 04 May 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1867
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 25 May 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1867
THE MOORHOUSE TUNNEL. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1867) Hawke's Bay 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
29 Jun 1867
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1867
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 17 July 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1867
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 19 July 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1867
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 02 August 1867) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1867
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 November 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1868
PORT OF AUCKLAND. (Daily Southern Cross, 22 January 1868) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 28 March 1868) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1868
BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH (Timaru Herald, 29 April 1868) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1868
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 June 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1868
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Wellington Independent, 25 July 1868) Wellington Independent · 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 Feb 1869
NELSON REGATTA. (Colonist, 12 February 1869) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Feb 1869
Probincial News. (Southland Times, 15 February 1869) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1869
NEWS OF THE WEEK. (Otago Witness, 20 February 1869) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1869
LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS. LATEST PARLIAMENTARY NEWS. THE NEW MINISTRY. CHRISTCHURCH GOLD DISCOVERY: REWARD CLAIMED. THE MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. EARTHQUAKE SHOCKS AT THE SOUTH. THE 18TH REGIMENT TO CONCENTRATE AT AUCKLAND. (FROM OUR TELEGRAPHIC CORRESPONDENT). (Daily Southern Cross, 05 July 1869) Daily Southern Cross · 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
20 Oct 1869
Local and General. (Star, 20 October 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1869
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 December 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1869
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 December 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
29 Mar 1870
NEW ZEALAND INTELLIGENCE. (Colonist, 29 March 1870) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1870
THE PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS (Star, 11 May 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1870
MEMORANDA OF TRIE MONIR. (Wellington Independent, 02 June 1870) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1870
Local and General. (Star, 02 July 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1870
Local and General. (Star, 18 July 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1870
Local and General. (Star, 25 July 1870) 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.

“Forty Two”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch