How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

3,153 records matching 95 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 1880s
26 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1883
THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 February 1883) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 02 January 1884) 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
4 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 25 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
The "Lyttelton Times" Company's New Buildings. (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
21 Apr 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Local & General. (Star, 23 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 June 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
21 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 01 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
4 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
13 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1885
Christchurch from the Cathedral Tower Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1885
J. T. Smith & Co. Morton's Block, Cathedral Square by M. Mosley · Matapihi · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Victoria University of Wellington
1 Jan 1885
Looking south from Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1885
Colombo Street looking south from Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1885
Looking east from Cathedral Square by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · 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
23 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
30 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
The Volunteers. (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1885
THE OPERATIONS AT NEW BRIGHTON. (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 27 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 August 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.

“"Cathedral Square"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch