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.

“Off & On”, the shelf

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

6,350 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 1840s
15 Dec 1841
LAST- NIGHT'S MEETING. (New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, 15 December 1841) New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1849
THE "Wellington Independent." Wednesday, August 22, 1849. (Wellington Independent, 22 August 1849) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1849
Untitled (Daily Southern Cross, 28 September 1849) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1850s
18 Jan 1851
No. I.—THE BRIDLE-PATH TO THE PERRY (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1851
WALKS ON THE ROADS. (Lyttelton Times, 25 January 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1851
WALKS ON THE ROADS. (Wellington Independent, 19 February 1851) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Mar 1851
RURAL SECTIONS CHOSEN. (Lyttelton Times, 29 March 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 May 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1851
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 August 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1851
Untitled (Lyttelton Times, 08 November 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
21 Feb 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 February 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 03 April 1852) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 03 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wellington Independent, 07 April 1852) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Nov 1852
SUPREME COURT. (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1853
LYTTELTON. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 15 January 1853) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1853
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 12 March 1853) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 06 August 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1853
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 August 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1853
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 27 August 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1853
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTIONS. (Lyttelton Times, 03 September 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1854
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 10 June 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1854
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 02 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1854
CORRESPONDENCE. (Lyttelton Times, 26 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Oct 1854
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 October 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Oct 1854
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 28 October 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1855
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 21 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 July 1855) 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
23 Apr 1856
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
28 May 1856
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
10 Sept 1856
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 10 September 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1856
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1856
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 December 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
28 Feb 1857
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 February 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Apr 1857
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1857
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1857
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 April 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1857
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 May 1857) 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
20 Jun 1857
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 June 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 July 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1857
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 August 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1857
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 19 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 03 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1857
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 07 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 18 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1858
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 20 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1858
Shipping News. (Lyttelton Times, 20 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1858
Shipping News. (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 March 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
30 Mar 1858
Shipping News. (Colonist, 30 March 1858) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1858
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1858
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1858
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 30 June 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
23 Oct 1858
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1859
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 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
9 Mar 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1859
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 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
18 Jun 1859
NEW ZEALAND PROVINCES. (Otago Witness, 18 June 1859) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 06 July 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
8 Oct 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 08 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1859
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 15 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1859
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 02 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1859
LYTTELTON. (Colonist, 04 November 1859) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 05 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · 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.

“Off & On”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch