Local History
Explore local history - the people and places of Ōtautahi.
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access now until 30 June
Featured local history
Pestilence parallels - The 1918 influenza pandemic
Joyce looks at what the papers had to say during the Influenza epidemic of 1918 and sees some parallels with the current global pandemic.
Chch 100 years ago
100 years ago in Christchurch & Canterbury. Follow @100chch on Twitter.
Canterbury Colonial Crimewatch
Local history librarian, Glenn, looks at how police tracked down criminals in the days before fingerprints or mugshots.
#LibraryFromHome
Ancestry Library Edition
Trace your family history. Includes records from United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Access now until 30 June
Uncovering stories: Miss Banks and the Titanic
Family history librarian, Julie, looks into the life of a Christchurch teacher using online resources, and discovers a Titanic connection.
Family history tips: Beginners' guide to burials
Fiona looks at key resources that can help in the search for death and burial information in your family history.
Discovering a photo and uncovering a story
Family history librarian, Julie, looks into the life of a Christchurch teacher using online resources, and disappears down a rabbit hole...
Escape into Family History
Current family difficult to manage? You'll find your past family much quieter. Now is the time to do some research using online resources.
Lockdown activities
Be inspired by some activities captured in our digital heritage collection that you could attempt with your bubble during our Lockdown.
Supermarkets
Take a look back at some of the supermarket photos from our collection.
Around the Square
Move around Cathedral Square with a selection of images from our collection over time.
Summer antics
Some highlights from our collection showing summertime activities around Canterbury.
Christchurch Street and Place Names
Explore this resource that explains the origins of Christchurch street and place names.
Popular resources
Popular resources
Picturing Canterbury
Autumn in lockdown: Picturing Canterbury
Victoria Square became a true autumn delight over lockdown as the fallen leaves went uncollected. An image from the Discovery Wall.
Loading wheat at Lyttelton: Picturing Canterbury
Workers in protective clothing guide a mechanical wheat trimmer in the hold of the Kaimai, Lyttelton, 1969. An image from the Discovery Wall
Climbing a fire engine ladder: Picturing Canterbury
Colin Bryant, at the top of an extension ladder on a fire engine outside the Central Fire Station,1973. An image from the Discovery Wall.
Discovery Wall
Tūranga is the home of NZ’s largest digital touchwall. Find out more, and how you can contribute to this unique heritage resource.
Tī Kōuka Whenua
Explore the vibrant past of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region that extends back many hundreds of years before 1850.
