How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Hotel Montreal”, the shelf

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

636 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
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
1 Sept 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 01 September 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
10 Mar 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 March 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
9 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Jul 1860
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 02 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (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
24 Aug 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 24 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 31 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 04 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 11 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 October 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
9 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 06 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 HEATHCOTE—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
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
26 Apr 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 03 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 27 November 1866) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1867
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Wellington Independent, 21 March 1867) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 October 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 February 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 February 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 February 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 February 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1869
Magisterial. (Star, 04 May 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1869
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 27 July 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Dec 1869
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 14 December 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
22 Mar 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 March 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1870
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 April 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 June 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1870
Local and General. (Star, 29 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1871
Photograph: Avon River Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
31 Jan 1871
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 31 January 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Apr 1871
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 April 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 October 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 January 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 February 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 April 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 April 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1872
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 May 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
31 Dec 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 December 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 March 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 March 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 March 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
18 Sept 1873
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 18 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1873
Local and General. (Star, 14 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1874
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 20 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 February 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 February 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1874
ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING. (Star, 28 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 September 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1874
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 04 November 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 November 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 December 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 December 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 May 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 August 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1875
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 October 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 October 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 February 1876) 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.

“Hotel Montreal”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch