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.

“Q Store”, the shelf

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

443 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
24 Apr 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1852
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 30 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 September 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1854
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 February 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
8 Nov 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 08 November 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 February 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1855
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 November 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1856
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 May 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jun 1856
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Feb 1857
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 February 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1857
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 31 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 May 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 03 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1860s
4 Feb 1860
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 04 February 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Apr 1860
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 07 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jun 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1860
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Lyttelton Times, 27 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Feb 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 27 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Jun 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Aug 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1864
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 09 March 1864) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Nov 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
11 Nov 1865
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 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 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 17 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1866
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 16 June 1866) West Coast 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
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
19 Oct 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 October 1868) Star · 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
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
16 May 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 16 May 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1871
RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. (Star, 11 August 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1871
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 22 December 1871) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 10 May 1872) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1873
A VISIT TO THE WEST COAST. (West Coast Times, 27 March 1873) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1873
THE LATE MR, H. REDWOOD. (Colonist, 24 June 1873) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1873
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Timaru Herald, 02 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jul 1873
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 04 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Oct 1873
Telegrams. (Otago Witness, 25 October 1873) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 March 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1875
West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1875. (West Coast Times, 09 July 1875) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 July 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1876
LATEST TELEGRAMS. (Timaru Herald, 05 April 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jan 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 06 January 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 13 March 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1878
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 01 January 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 05 August 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 13 August 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1880s
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Mar 1880
INTERIM REPORT BY THE NATIVE COMMISSION. (Evening Post, 18 March 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 January 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 May 1881
WRECK AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE S. S. TARARUA ON THE OTARA REEF. (Otago Daily Times, 20 May 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 19 November 1881) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1882
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 21 November 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1883
The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 11 July 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 March 1884) 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.

“Q Store”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch