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.

2,999 records matching 86 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
3 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 September 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1878
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1879
Geological Map of the Provinces of Canterbury and Westland, New Zealand, by Julius von Haast PH. D., F.R.S., Provincial Geologist by Haast, Julius von, 1822–1887 · Lincoln University Living Heritage: Tikaka Tuku Iho · Lincoln University
22 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 February 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Feb 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 February 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 February 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
21 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. 31st March. (Evening Post, 01 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1879
THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Oct 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 December 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
1 Jan 1880
Cathedral & Square, Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1880
Christchurch from Cathedral Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1880
Cathedral Square Christchurch by Burton Brothers · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1 Jan 1880
Christchurch Cathedral by Burton Brothers (Firm) · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · no. 402478 · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1880
[Cathedral Square, Christchurch] by Burton Brothers; Unknown · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1 Jan 1880
View of Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Warners Hotel Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Bank of New Zealand, Cathedral Square, Christchurch by Burton Brothers (Firm) · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1880
High Street looking towards Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Holy Trinity Church, Avonside Archives · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Cathedral Square, Christchurch TAPUHI · Alexander Turnbull Library · about 1 place
1 Jan 1880
Christchurch Cathedral TAPUHI · no. 23070049 · Alexander Turnbull Library · about 1 place
6 Apr 1880
DEATH. The Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1880. (Star, 06 April 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1880
Cathedral Square, Christchurch by Unknown artist · Auckland Art Gallery Collection · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
10 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1880
CHRISTOHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 04 November 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
18 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 December 1880) 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