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.

“"Main North Road"”, the shelf

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

111 records matching 78 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
20 Jan 1868
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1868) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1870s
31 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (North Otago Times, 31 March 1879) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
16 Aug 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 16 August 1880) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jun 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 03 June 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Apr 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 07 April 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 02 June 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 03 September 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 03 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 08 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 15 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 23 July 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 02 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 26 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 June 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 18 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
8 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
St David's Church, Belfast, Christchurch Kura Heritage Collections Online · no. 411167 · Auckland Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
St David’s Anglican Church exterior Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
St David’s Anglican Church interior Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
St David's Church, Belfast, Christchurch Kura Heritage Collections Online · no. 411168 · Auckland Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
E. White Bootmakers Local scenes and places · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
30 Oct 1901
THE PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. (Otago Witness, 30 October 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Oct 1908
StPPLEHENTARI' ESTIMATES. j (Froh Odb Own Cobhesposdents.^ (Otago Witness, 14 October 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1909
CYCLING. (Ashburton Guardian, 30 October 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1910s
27 Jun 1911
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 June 1911) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1918
RAILWAY CROSSING FATALITY. (Wanganui Chronicle, 28 January 1918) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1918
FLOODS IN CANTERBURY. (Feilding Star, 19 September 1918) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1918
FLOOD AND GALE IN CANTERBURY. (Evening Post, 19 September 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1918
FLOODS IN CANTERBURY. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 September 1918) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1918
SNOW AND HEAVY RAIN (Hawera & Normanby Star, 19 September 1918) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1918
HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 19 September 1918) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1920s
1 Jan 1920
Mr and Mrs Lightfoot Local people and functions · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1920
E. White Bootmakers and house Local scenes and places · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1920
Cannon & Son Belfast Motor Garage Local scenes and places · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
21 Feb 1920
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Taranaki Daily News 21-2-1920) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1925
FLOODS IN CANTERBURY (Evening Post, 25 February 1925) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1925
CROPS UNDER WATER (Evening Post, 05 December 1925) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1925
On the Main North Road from Christchurch last Friday by Auckland Weekly News · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
20 May 1926
In The Vicinity of White's Bridge, on the Main North Road From Christchurch Last Thursday Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
5 Nov 1926
Flooding on Main North Road Smyth family collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
the 1930s
1 Jan 1930
Chaneys Corner Belfast Local scenes and places · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
26 Feb 1936
Transport and traffic disorganised by flood damage: a bad washout on the main north road at Woodend, 18 miles from Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
27 Feb 1936
MEETING POSTPONED (Evening Post, 27 February 1936) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1936
ACCIDENT AT NIGHT (Evening Post, 22 April 1936) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1937
BAD CROSSINGS (Evening Post, 09 February 1937) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1937
DEATH OF CYCLIST (Evening Post, 04 June 1937) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1938
SERIOUS INJURIES (Evening Post, 03 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1938
DESTRUCTIVE BLAZE (Evening Post, 14 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1940s
11 Dec 1940
TWO KILLED (Evening Post, 11 December 1940) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1941
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 21 June 1941) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
31 Dec 1941
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 31 December 1941) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1942
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 02 January 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
13 Jan 1942
SERVICE OVERSEAS (Evening Post, 13 January 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1942
N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 30 January 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1942
lOLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 16 February 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1942
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 21 February 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1942
N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 20 July 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1942
N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 28 July 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1942
N.Z.E.F. ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 31 July 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
23 Dec 1942
AIR FORCE CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 23 December 1942) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1943
N.Z.E.F. CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 03 May 1943) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1943
ROLL OF HONOUR AIR FORCE CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 15 December 1943) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1945
Former Belfast School Master’s house under snow Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 2 places
30 Apr 1945
SAFE AGAIN (Evening Post, 30 April 1945) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1945
SAFE IN BRITAIN (Evening Post, 14 May 1945) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1980s
15 Jun 1981
Frank Miller by Christchurch Star · Canterbury Stories · no. 29167 · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
15 Jun 1981
Frank Miller by Christchurch Star · Canterbury Stories · no. 29023 · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
15 Jun 1981
Organist Frank Miller Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
15 Jun 1981
Frank Miller at an organ Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
the 2000s
20 Jul 2000
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
22 Aug 2000
REGISTER New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 39 places
8 Mar 2001
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 2001
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 2 places
24 Aug 2001
supplement New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 22 places
15 Nov 2001
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 2 places
16 Aug 2002
supplement New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 30 places
9 Jan 2003
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 2 places
29 Aug 2003
REGISTER New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 26 places
29 Jul 2004
Notice of Intention to Remove Companies From New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
27 Aug 2004
Register of Pharmacies New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 20 places
17 Nov 2005
Notice of Intention to Remove Companies From New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 2006
In Bankruptcy New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 2009
No Asset Procedures New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 2 places
the 2010s
18 Mar 2010
Notice of Intention to Remove Companies From the Register New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 2 places
1 Sept 2010
New Zealand Transport Agency (Speed Limits on State Highways) Bylaw 2010/10 New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 2010
Bankruptcies New Zealand Gazette · Department of Internal Affairs · text read · about 1 place
8 Mar 2011
Foundation crack at St David's Church Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
8 Mar 2011
Earthquake damage at St David's Church Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
8 Mar 2011
St David's Church Canterbury Stories · no. 69601 · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
8 Mar 2011
St David's Church Canterbury Stories · no. 69602 · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place

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.

“"Main North Road"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch