1857 Intentions to Marry

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840369, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Luke Howison at Archives NZ Wellington, December 13 2024

Page 098

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 1857 Registrar John Poynter

Date of Notice

Names and Surnames of Parties

BDM Match

Condition

Calling or Profession

Age

Dwelling Place

Length of Residence

Marriage Place

Folio

Consent

Date of Certificate

Officiating Minister

13 June 1857

Charles Edward George Wootton
Kezia Ann Streeter

Charles Edward George Wootton
Kesia Ann Streeter
💍 1857/2314

Bachelor
Spinster

Carter

26
19

Waimea West
Waimea West

Five years
Four years

at the school House in Waimea West

6 July 1857

Revd. Thomas D Nicholson

No	31
Date of Notice	13 June 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Edward George Wootton	Kezia Ann Streeter
BDM Match (97%)	Charles Edward George Wootton	Kesia Ann Streeter
	💍 1857/2314
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carter
Age	26	19
Dwelling Place	Waimea West	Waimea West
Length of Residence	Five years	Four years
Marriage Place	at the school House in Waimea West
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd. Thomas D Nicholson

18 June 1857

Robert Shallcrass
Annabella Williamson Jeffry

Robert Shallcross
Annabella Williamson Jeffrey
💍 1857/2311

Bachelor
Spinster

Printer
Domestic Servt

37
26

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

Two years
Six months

at the residence of William Long Wrey Esq, Hardy Street, Nelson

3 July 1857

Revd. Thomas D Nicholson

No	35
Date of Notice	18 June 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Shallcrass	Annabella Williamson Jeffry
BDM Match (95%)	Robert Shallcross	Annabella Williamson Jeffrey
	💍 1857/2311
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Printer	Domestic Servt
Age	37	26
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	Two years	Six months
Marriage Place	at the residence of William Long Wrey Esq, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd. Thomas D Nicholson

13 July 1857

William Ridd Waters
Harriett Stallard

William Ridd Waters
Harriet Stallard
💍 1857/1936

Widower
Widow

Bootmaker

30
33

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

Two years
Ten years

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson

13 July 1857

Rev Henry Francis Butt

No	39
Date of Notice	13 July 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Ridd Waters	Harriett Stallard
BDM Match (97%)	William Ridd Waters	Harriet Stallard
	💍 1857/1936
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Bootmaker
Age	30	33
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	Two years	Ten years
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Rev Henry Francis Butt

20 July 1857

Roderick McDonald
Margaret McKenzie

Roderick McDonald
Margaret McKenzie
💍 1857/10

Bachelor
Spinster

Shephard

34
27

Fairfield Downs, Wairau
Town of nelson

Four years
Four days.

at the residence of Mr George McRae, Nelson

20 July 1857

Revd. Thomas D. Nicholson

No	40
Date of Notice	20 July 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Roderick McDonald	Margaret McKenzie
	💍 1857/10
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Shephard
Age	34	27
Dwelling Place	Fairfield Downs, Wairau	Town of nelson
Length of Residence	Four years	Four days.
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr George McRae, Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd. Thomas D. Nicholson

27 July 1857

Henry John Tancred
Georgeanna Janet Grace Richmond

Henry T Tancred
George Anna Janet Grace Richmond
💍 1857/1939

Bachelor
Spinster

Esquire

40
25

Town of nelson
Town of nelson

Ten days
Three years

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson

27 July 1857

Revd Henry Francis Butt

No	41
Date of Notice	27 July 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry John Tancred	Georgeanna Janet Grace Richmond
BDM Match (86%)	Henry T Tancred	George Anna Janet Grace Richmond
	💍 1857/1939
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Esquire
Age	40	25
Dwelling Place	Town of nelson	Town of nelson
Length of Residence	Ten days	Three years
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd Henry Francis Butt

31 July 1857

Thomas Bittles
Caroline Stephens

Thomas Bittles
Caroline Stephens
💍 1857/1942

Bachelor
Widow

Carpenter

32
27

Town of nelson
Town of nelson

Two months
Two months

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson

31 July 1857

Rev Henry Frances Butt

No	42
Date of Notice	31 July 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Bittles	Caroline Stephens
	💍 1857/1942
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Carpenter
Age	32	27
Dwelling Place	Town of nelson	Town of nelson
Length of Residence	Two months	Two months
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Rev Henry Frances Butt

31 July 1857

Richard King
Ellen Fevan

Richard King
Ellen Fiven
💍 1857/2272

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

24
21

Richmond Waimea East
Richmond Waimea East

Seven years
Five years

at the Wesleyan Chapel in Nelson

31 July 1857

Rev John Warren

No	43
Date of Notice	31 July 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard King	Ellen Fevan
BDM Match (91%)	Richard King	Ellen Fiven
	💍 1857/2272
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	24	21
Dwelling Place	Richmond Waimea East	Richmond Waimea East
Length of Residence	Seven years	Five years
Marriage Place	at the Wesleyan Chapel in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 July 1857
Officiating Minister	Rev John Warren

3 August 1857

George Thomas Blackmore
Sarah Ann Carter

George Thomas Blackmore
Sarah Ann Carter
💍 1857/2305

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

23
21

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

Four years
five years

at the residence of Mr George Thomas Blackmore on the Waimea Road Nelson

3 August 1857

Revd. Thomas Dickson Nicholson

No	44
Date of Notice	3 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Thomas Blackmore	Sarah Ann Carter
	💍 1857/2305
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	23	21
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	Four years	five years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr George Thomas Blackmore on the Waimea Road Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 August 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd. Thomas Dickson Nicholson

6 August 1857

Banks Southwell
Ann James

Banks Southwell
Ann James
💍 1857/2308

Bachelor
widow

Labourer

42
45

Town of nelson
Town of nelson

Eight days
Five years

at the residence David Mair in the Town of Nelson

6 August 1857

Rev Thomas Dickson Nicholson

No	45
Date of Notice	6 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Banks Southwell	Ann James
	💍 1857/2308
Condition	Bachelor	widow
Profession	Labourer
Age	42	45
Dwelling Place	Town of nelson	Town of nelson
Length of Residence	Eight days	Five years
Marriage Place	at the residence David Mair in the Town of Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 August 1857
Officiating Minister	Rev Thomas Dickson Nicholson

8 August 1857

William Hodgson
Harriett Ann Gill

William Hodgson
Harriett Ann Gill
💍 1857/2220

Bachelor
Spinster

Farm Servant

37
19

Waimea East
Waimea West

Fifteen days
two years.

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church at Richmond, Waimea East

25 August 1857

Revd Samuel Poole

No	46
Date of Notice	8 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Hodgson	Harriett Ann Gill
	💍 1857/2220
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farm Servant
Age	37	19
Dwelling Place	Waimea East	Waimea West
Length of Residence	Fifteen days	two years.
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church at Richmond, Waimea East
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	25 August 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd Samuel Poole

10 August 1857

James Samuel Edelsten
Mary Anne Picard

James Samuel Edelston
Mary Ann Picard
💍 1857/2190

Bachelor
Widow

Merchant

29
25

Town of Nelson
Riwaka

Four years
Five years

at the Wesleyan Chapel in Nelson

1857

Certificate not issued Bod

No	47
Date of Notice	10 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Samuel Edelsten	Mary Anne Picard
BDM Match (95%)	James Samuel Edelston	Mary Ann Picard
	💍 1857/2190
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Merchant
Age	29	25
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Riwaka
Length of Residence	Four years	Five years
Marriage Place	at the Wesleyan Chapel in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	1857
Officiating Minister	Certificate not issued Bod

11 August 1857

Richard Norms
Isabella Clark

Richard Norris
Isabella Clark
💍 1857/2259

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawyer

22
21

Waimea South
Waimea South

Five years
Five years

at the protestant Episcopalian Church in Waimea South

11 August 1857

Revd. Thos A Bowden

No	48
Date of Notice	11 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Norms	Isabella Clark
BDM Match (93%)	Richard Norris	Isabella Clark
	💍 1857/2259
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawyer
Age	22	21
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea South
Length of Residence	Five years	Five years
Marriage Place	at the protestant Episcopalian Church in Waimea South
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 August 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd. Thos A Bowden

17 August 1857

Hans John Christian Siggelkow
Sophia Maria Amaria Lange

Ernst John Christian Siggelkow
Sophia Maria Amalia Lange
💍 1857/2235

Bachelor
Widow

Farmer

24
21

Waimea East
Waimea East

Five years
Five years

at the residence of Henry Siggelkow in Waimea East

17 August 1857

Rev Jno Wm Chris Heine

No	49
Date of Notice	17 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Hans John Christian Siggelkow	Sophia Maria Amaria Lange
BDM Match (93%)	Ernst John Christian Siggelkow	Sophia Maria Amalia Lange
	💍 1857/2235
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Farmer
Age	24	21
Dwelling Place	Waimea East	Waimea East
Length of Residence	Five years	Five years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Henry Siggelkow in Waimea East
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 August 1857
Officiating Minister	Rev Jno Wm Chris Heine

22 August 1857

James Ashton Lever Ainsworth
Emily Hall

James Ashton H Ainsworth
Emily Hall
💍 1857/1945

Bachelor
Widow

Merchant

30
29

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

Five weeks
Two months

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson

22 August 1857

Revd Henry Francis Butt

No	50
Date of Notice	22 August 1857
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Ashton Lever Ainsworth	Emily Hall
BDM Match (91%)	James Ashton H Ainsworth	Emily Hall
	💍 1857/1945
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Merchant
Age	30	29
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	Five weeks	Two months
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 August 1857
Officiating Minister	Revd Henry Francis Butt

These records have been automatically transcribed and must be verified using the page image (below)

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What is an Intention to Marry?

The 1854 Marriage Act required Pakeha settlers (and later Maori) to register their intention to marry from 1855. The resulting Notices of intention to marry were sent by the district registrars to the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages and bound into large volumes, each containing a year of notices. These registers were eventually deposited with Archives New Zealand.

What information does an ItM record?

A typical Intention to Marry notice records:

the bride and groom's full names
occupation of the groom (and sometimes the bride)
their ages
district where the marriage would take place
how long they had resided in the district
Where the marriage would take place (eg, a specific church)
Who would officiate the marriage (eg, a minister)
The date of the notice and also a date when the certificate was issued. Marriages had to take place within 3 months, and usually occurred within a week or so of the certificate date.
If one of the parties was under 21, a parent who consented to their marriage was usually specified

These details can provide clues for genealogical and historical research. Knowing the date and district makes it easier to look for wedding notices in Papers Past, and the amount of time that the parties had resided in a district can offer clues to whether a person was born in NZ, or when they immigrated.

However, finding individual records in the Intentions to Marry registers was typically a slow and manual process, usually requiring an in-person visit to Archives NZ's Wellington office (during limited opening hours) and using a handwritten card catalogue index to look up individual names.

Eight years of the registers had been digitised by Archives NZ prior to 2024, but even these digital versions required the use of a manual index and usually examining several pages to locate specific records.

What is the Intentions to Marry Project?

This project aims to transcribe the New Zealand Intentions to Marry registers (from 1855 to 1925) with the assistance of new technology (AI), making the records freely available and easily searchable.

The ITM records have also been cross-referenced with the registered marriages at DIA Births, Deaths and Marriages, where possible (a small fraction of the recorded intentions to marry did not become a registered marriage).

Currently we have almost all records between 1855 and 1903. More registers are being added almost every week.

The project is led by Luke Howison, a web developer who made the free genealogical research search tool NZ Ancestor Search Helper and Archway-style Collections Search. There are also some wonderful volunteers assisting with digitising the registers.

Can I volunteer to help?

Yes, you can! You can sign up to correct errors in the transcribed records and match ITMs with registered marriages.

I am also looking for Wellington-based volunteers to help me digitise more years of the registers. I can provide lighting equipment and a 'clicker' (to trigger your phone's camera).

How is the transcription done?

There are several steps to digitising and transcribing the records:

Digitising the registers (taking clean, straight, high-quality photos)
Processing the digitised pages by straightening, cropping and sharpening the images
Transcribing each page with a combination of AI tools
Matching each ITM with a registered marriage when possible
Human verification of the transcribed information

The main LLM (AI) used are the Google Gemini Pro and Flash models, which have excellent 'Vision' capabilities, and a generous free tier.

Archives NZ has released the register years they have digitised (1865-69, 1872, 1874 and 1880) under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license.

The Intention to Marry registers (up to 1925) are more than 100 years old, so their Crown Copyright has expired, putting them in the public domain. This also applies to any 'mechanical reproductions' (eg, pictures or photocopies) of their content without substantial alteration.

The transcribed records on this website are released under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal license, which allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, even for commercial purposes, while giving credit to the creator (NZ Intentions to Marry Project).