How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“"Worcester Street"”, the shelf

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

1,861 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 1870s
24 Aug 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 August 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 November 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 January 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 January 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1878
LOOAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1879
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
8 May 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
12 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1881
Cathedral Square and Worcester Street corner Panorama of Christchurch, New Zealand, from Cathedral tower · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1881
Cathedral Square and Worcester Street Panorama of Christchurch, New Zealand, from Cathedral tower · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
23 Jun 1881
Local & General. (Star, 23 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1881
Local & General (Star, 23 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 24 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Jun 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1882
CHARITY SUNDAY. (Star, 14 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1884
DEATHS. (Star, 24 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1884
DEATHS. (Star, 26 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1885
Looking east from Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1885
Worcester Street west, 1885Archive 1054 Christchurch photographs and postcards · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
19 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1885
Local & General. (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
BIRTH. (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 21 July 1885) 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.

“"Worcester Street"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch