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.

“The Black Horse”, the shelf

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

1,075 records matching 96 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
13 Dec 1851
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 December 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 March 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1853
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1853
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 June 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1854
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1854
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Oct 1854
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 October 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 December 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 January 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1855
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1855
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1855
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1855
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 November 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jan 1857
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 31 January 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1857
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1857
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1857
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1857
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 7 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
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 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 14 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1857
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 October 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 11 November 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 2 (Lyttelton Times, 18 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
21 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 December 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 20 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 January 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 03 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
15 May 1858
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1858
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 02 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 June 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 July 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 July 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 25 August 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1858
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1858
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 December 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1859
Photograph: Gould and Miles, Christchurch 1859 by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
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
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 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 23 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 07 May 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
28 May 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 28 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 04 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 June 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 September 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
2 Nov 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 02 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · 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
16 Nov 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 19 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 07 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1859
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
1 Jan 1860
Photograph: Union Bank of Australia, Christchurch, New Zealand by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum · about 1 place
1 Jan 1860
Photograph: Colombo Street, Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1860
Photograph: Christchurch Panorama, No. 7 by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum

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.

“The Black Horse”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch