How many records does the archive hold?

62,792 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.

“Peter Alexander”, the shelf

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

554 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
14 Aug 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Oct 1853
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
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
31 Mar 1855
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
4 Apr 1855
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 04 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1856
Evans, Charles, Papauni Laboure (Lyttelton Times, 20 February 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Dec 1857
BIRTHS. (Lyttelton Times, 16 December 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Feb 1858
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1859
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT, LYTTELTON. (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
11 Jan 1860
Miscellaneous. (Lyttelton Times, 11 January 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1860
LIST OF UNCLAIMED LETTERS, FOR QUARTER. ENDING 31st MARCH, 1860. (Lyttelton Times, 14 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
13 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
13 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jul 1860
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 11 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1860
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 14 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1860
RETURNED LETTERS (Lyttelton Times, 13 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 Apr 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 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
16 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
19 Apr 1862
LIST OF CLAMANTS TO BE PLACED ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHEVIOT. (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 11 places
23 Apr 1862
TIMARU DISTRICT ELECTORAL ROLL.—(Continued) (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1862
TIMARU DISTRICT ELECTORAL ROLL.—(Continued). (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Nov 1863
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1863) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 11 March 1865) Timaru Herald · 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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 April 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 13 April 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 14 April 1866) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 17 April 1866) 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
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
20 Jun 1870
EDUCATIONAL. (Star, 20 June 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
15 Apr 1871
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 April 1871) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1872
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 March 1872) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1872
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CANTERBURY MUSEUM. (Star, 22 April 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1872
EVENTS OF THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 04 May 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1873
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1873) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 May 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 August 1874) Otago Witness · 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
4 Nov 1874
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 04 November 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1874
CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. (Star, 13 November 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 March 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1875
West Coast Time. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1875. (West Coast Times, 06 April 1875) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1876
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1876) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1877
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 17 January 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1879
KAITANGATA RELIEF FUND. (Otago Witness, 29 March 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1879
MEETING OF CREDITORS. MR. R. J. DUNCAN. (Evening Post, 05 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1879
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 02 August 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1879
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 17 October 1879) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Dec 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
1 Jan 1880
Photograph, David Doull's Watchmaker & Jeweller NZmuseums · Wyndham & Districts Historical Museum · Wyndham & Districts Historical Museum
4 Sept 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (West Coast Times, 03 January 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1881
AUSTRALIAN. (Evening Post, 09 February 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1881
AUSTRALIAN CABLE. (Timaru Herald, 10 February 1881) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1881
AUSTRALIAN. (Thames Star, 09 March 1881) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1881
EAST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOLS. (Star, 29 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
THS GENERAL ELECTIONS (Star, 02 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 02 February 1883) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1884
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Oct 1884
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 10 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 18 October 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1885
FOOTBALL. (Star, 09 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1885
DUNEDIN CUP. AUCKLAND TRAINING NOTES. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES, (Otago Witness, 19 December 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1887
OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1888
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places

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.

“Peter Alexander”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch