How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“"Cathedral Square"”, the shelf

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

2,983 records matching 88 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 1860s
9 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 09 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Nov 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 25 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1862
Early Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1862
Photograph: Aboriginal Cottages, Cathedral Square, Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
15 Jan 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 15 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 05 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 01 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1862
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 12 March 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH.—CLAIMS TO VOTE—IB 62. (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
12 Apr 1862
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1862
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 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
14 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1862
Christchurch cottages, 1862 by Barker, Alfred Charles, 1819-1873 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
29 Oct 1862
Early view of Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1865
Early central Christchurch looking South by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
18 Feb 1865
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 18 February 1865) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1866
Early central Christchurch by Christchurch Star · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1866
Torlesse Building, Cathedral Square, 1866 Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
10 Jan 1866
'How the world wags in Christchurch', 1866 by Barker, Alfred Charles, 1819-1873 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
29 Mar 1866
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Wellington Independent, 29 March 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1866
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 31 March 1866) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1866
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 02 April 1866) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Wellington Independent, 03 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 10 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 14 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1866
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Wellington Independent, 17 April 1866) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1866
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1867
Cathedral Square, Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1867
Photograph: John Robert Godley Statue by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
22 Jun 1867
CHRISTCHURCH (Timaru Herald, 22 June 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Marlborough Express, 15 February 1868) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 July 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1868
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 July 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1868
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 July 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1868
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 October 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1868
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 October 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1868
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 November 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
24 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1868
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 01 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1868
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1868
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 23 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1869
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 April 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1869
Local and General. (Star, 08 April 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1869
Local and General. (Star, 14 April 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1869
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AT CHRISTCHURCH. THE NELSON AND CHRISTCHURCH RACES. THE WEST COAST NOT TO BE VISITED. PRINCE TO LEAVE CHRITCHURCH FOR DUNEDIN ON APRIL 26. SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. Christchurch, April 22. (Daily Southern Cross, 27 April 1869) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1869
Magisterial. (Star, 04 May 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1869
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 July 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1869
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 31 August 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Sept 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 September 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1869
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 September 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 October 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1869
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 October 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
1 Jan 1870
Godley statue, Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 1870 Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1870
Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
2 Feb 1870
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 February 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1870
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 February 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1870
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 March 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1870
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 March 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1870
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 April 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Sept 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Oct 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 October 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 October 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 November 1870) 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.

“"Cathedral Square"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch