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 Halswell”, the shelf

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

1,267 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
19 Apr 1851
RURAL SECTIONS CHOSEN. (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1851) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF LYTTELTON. (Lyttelton Times, 09 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
16 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH, July 5th, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
1 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 08 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 15 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1854
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF LYTTELTON. (Lyttelton Times, 22 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 13 places
22 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 July 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1854
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
19 Aug 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1854
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1854
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 09 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1854
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1854
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 20 September 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1855
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
18 Apr 1855
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1855
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1855
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 05 May 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 19 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 December 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1856
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 31 May 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
26 Aug 1857
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 August 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1857
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 November 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
18 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (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
23 Oct 1858
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1858
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 27 November 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
26 Nov 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1859
ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR 1859-60. (Lyttelton Times, 30 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 30 November 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 03 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 10 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 24 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1859
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
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
21 Jul 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1861
Page 5 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 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 10 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 May 1861
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Lyttelton Times, 18 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 24 July 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
14 Dec 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1861
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1862
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 08 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 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
16 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1862
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1862
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1863
St Mary's Church (Anglican) - List No. 3135 The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 2 places
5 Feb 1863
PUBLIC WORKS.-CANTERBURY. (FROM THE "LYTTELTON TIMES.") (Daily Southern Cross, 05 February 1863) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
25 Feb 1865
NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. No. V. MINING, QUARRYING, METALLURGY, AND MINERAL PRODUCTS. (Otago Witness, 25 February 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1867
ROAD BOARDS AND MUNICIPALITIES. (Timaru Herald, 02 February 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1867
DEATH. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 02 March 1867) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1867
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 04 October 1867) West Coast Times · 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
8 Apr 1868
ROAD BOARDS AND MUNICIPALATIES. (Timaru Herald, 08 April 1868) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1868
Local and General. (Star, 24 October 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1868
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 08 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1869
Local and General. (Star, 05 January 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 January 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 January 1869) 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.

“The Halswell”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch