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 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 1850s
1 Jan 1850
Avon River, Christchurch, 1852 by Barker, Alfred Charles, 1819-1873 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1851
Painting: Christchurch, Canterbury, NZ by Henry Ffitch · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
1 May 1852
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 May 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH, July 5th, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
23 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. July 11, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
22 Oct 1853
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 22 October 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
12 Aug 1854
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 12 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1854
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 16 August 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
13 Dec 1854
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 December 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 23 December 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Dec 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 27 December 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1854
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 30 December 1854) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
3 Jan 1855
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 03 January 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Jan 1855
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 06 January 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
24 Jan 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 January 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
28 Feb 1855
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 February 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Mar 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 March 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
4 Apr 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Apr 1855
JURY LIST. (Lyttelton Times, 04 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
18 Apr 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 18 April 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
10 Feb 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Feb 1858
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 February 1858) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
27 Dec 1858
from Worcester Street, Christchurch Government Buildings, 8am by Dr Alfred Barker · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
7 Jan 1859
Construction of Provincial Council Chambers by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
13 Apr 1859
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 13 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 July 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 July 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 July 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
1 Jan 1860
Worcester Street Bridge, Christchurch, 1860 by Barker, Alfred Charles, 1819-1873 · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries · about 1 place
6 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 06 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 06 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
9 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 09 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jun 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 13 June 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
17 Nov 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 17 November 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 23 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 27 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 09 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 16 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 11 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 22 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Jun 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 01 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Jun 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 June 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 10 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 13 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 17 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 24 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jul 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 27 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 03 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 10 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 31 August 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1861
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 04 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 05 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 12 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF CITY OF CHRISTCHURCH.-CLAIMS TO VOTE-1862. (Lyttelton Times, 09 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1862
ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF HEATHCOTE—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
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
16 Apr 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 10 places
19 Apr 1862
LIST OF CLAMANTS TO BE PLACED ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHEVIOT. (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 11 places
1 Jan 1866
Early central Christchurch by Christchurch Star · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1866
Photograph: Worcester Street, Christchurch by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
13 Apr 1866
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1866) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1868
Early Oxford Street seen from Cashel Street by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
15 Feb 1868
CHRISTCHURCH. (Marlborough Express, 15 February 1868) Marlborough Express · 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
25 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1868
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 September 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
23 Dec 1868
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 23 December 1868) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1869
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 05 January 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1869
CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 14 December 1869) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
1 Jan 1870
Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1870
Dr Barker's house, Worcester Street by Christchurch Star · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1870
Canterbury Club, Christchurch Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1870
Painting: Worcester Street, Christchurch by George Turner · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
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
31 Jan 1871
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 31 January 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 April 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1872
Local and General. (Star, 24 January 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 July 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1872
Dr Barker's house, Worcester Street by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
3 Jan 1873
Local and General. (Star, 03 January 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1873
HEATHCOTE ROAD BOARD. (Star, 02 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1874
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 12 February 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 May 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1875
The Club, Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
13 Jul 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 July 1875) 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