How many records does the archive hold?

60,434 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.

“Time and Time Again”, the shelf

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

2,646 records matching 98 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
26 Apr 1848
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 26 April 1848) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · 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
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
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
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (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
28 Apr 1852
NEW ZEALAND SPECTATOR AND Cook's Strait Guardian. Wednesday, April 28, 1852. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 28 April 1852) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 May 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 08 May 1852) Lyttelton Times · 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
20 Nov 1852
SUPREME COURT. (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1852
CHRISTCHURCH COLONISTS' SOCIETY. (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1853
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 June 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
22 Apr 1854
REPORT (Lyttelton Times, 22 April 1854) 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
18 Jul 1854
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Daily Southern Cross, 18 July 1854) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1854
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 21 October 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1854
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 28 October 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1855
REPORT. (Lyttelton Times, 16 May 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
7 Nov 1855
Chapter II.—The River. (Lyttelton Times, 07 November 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1855
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 19 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
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
13 Jun 1857
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1857
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 19 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Sept 1857
Correspondence. (Lyttelton Times, 26 September 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1858
Page 10 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 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
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
31 Mar 1858
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 31 March 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Apr 1858
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1858
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 01 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 05 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (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
15 May 1858
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 15 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 19 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 22 May 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1858
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 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
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
26 Feb 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 26 February 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Colonist, 14 June 1859) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
15 Oct 1859
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 15 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1859
Provincial Council. (Lyttelton Times, 29 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1859
LYTTELTON. (Colonist, 04 November 1859) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1859
Commercial. (Colonist, 06 December 1859) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
28 Jan 1860
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 28 January 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1860
Shipping News. (Lyttelton Times, 12 May 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1860
CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL. (Lyttelton Times, 18 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1860
SUPREME COURT.-Criminal Sittings. (Lyttelton Times, 05 September 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Sept 1860
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 September 1860) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
17 Nov 1860
Local Intelligence. (Lyttelton Times, 17 November 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Nov 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 17 November 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1860
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Lyttelton Times, 01 December 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Dec 1860
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 19 December 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1861
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1861
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1861) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1861
Tuesday, November 5. (Lyttelton Times, 09 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1861
The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1861. (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Dec 1861
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1862
Photograph, Ambrotype, Fisher family NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
31 Jan 1862
GEOLOGY OF OTAGO. (Otago Daily Times, 31 January 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
5 Feb 1862
M. REUTER. (Otago Daily Times, 05 February 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1862
TOWN AND COUNTRY NEWS. (Lyttelton Times, 05 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
10 May 1862
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Lyttelton Times, 10 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1862
The Daily Southern Cross. UNKNOWN. (Daily Southern Cross, 12 September 1862) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1863
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1863) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1863
THE FIRST RAILWAY IN NEW ZEALAND. (Wellington Independent, 12 December 1863) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1864
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1864
Page 24 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 20 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1864
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 07 May 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
2 Jul 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Jul 1864
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 30 July 1864) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1864
THE Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 07 November 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
24 Dec 1864
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 24 December 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1865
Dalcroy House - List No. 7376 The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 1 place
18 Feb 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 18 February 1865) Timaru Herald · 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.

“Time and Time Again”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch