Pieces of the Past

The Deeds Indexes are a record of the early land transactions in Canterbury. Between 1850 and 1924 the registers were maintained by the Christchurch land registry office. 

 

This office was created for the purpose of registering deeds and instruments affecting land in the Canterbury Land District. They recorded information concerning Crown grants, land sales, subdivisions, mortgages, agreements, and leases.

 

These records provide important information regarding Canterbury’s settlement. They allow our 
researchers to trace land ownership and locate the place of residence of many of Canterbury’s early 
colonisers.

 

Lydia Mearns, 2015.

Lydia is a historical researcher who acts as an historical detective to figure out whether or not sites in Christchurch need an archaeologist.