Intentions to Marry, 1858

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840370, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

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

Page 129

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 December 1858 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

2 October 1858

William John Wakefield
Christina Lankow

William John Wakefield
Christina Lankow
💍 1858/1944

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

24 years
22 years

Waimea South
Waimea East

2 years
14 years

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church, Richmond, Waimea East

2 October 1858

Rev. Samuel Poole

No	47
Date of Notice	2 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William John Wakefield	Christina Lankow
	💍 1858/1944
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	24 years	22 years
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea East
Length of Residence	2 years	14 years
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church, Richmond, Waimea East
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. Samuel Poole

4 October 1858

Henry Beattie
Priscilla Brown

Henry Beattie
Marcella Brown
💍 1858/1923

Bachelor
Widow

Labourer

35 years
38 years

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

4 days
4 days

at the protestant Episcopdlian Church in Nelson

18 October 1858

Rev. Rob. B. Paul

No	48
Date of Notice	4 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Beattie	Priscilla Brown
BDM Match (83%)	Henry Beattie	Marcella Brown
	💍 1858/1923
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Labourer
Age	35 years	38 years
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	4 days
Marriage Place	at the protestant Episcopdlian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rob. B. Paul

7 October 1858

William Calverley Riley
Susan Trist

William Riley
Susan Trist
💍 1858/1864

Bachelor
Spinster

Storekeeper

26 years
20 years

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

3 days
2 years

at the residence of Thos Heyward, Bridge St, Nelson

Elizabeth Heyward mother

7 October 1858

Rev. John Warren

No	49
Date of Notice	7 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Calverley Riley	Susan Trist
BDM Match (78%)	William Riley	Susan Trist
	💍 1858/1864
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Storekeeper
Age	26 years	20 years
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	2 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Thos Heyward, Bridge St, Nelson
Folio
Consent	Elizabeth Heyward mother
Date of Certificate	7 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Warren

7 October 1858

John Martin
Elizabeth Ainley Matthews

John Martin
Elizth Mathews
💍 1858/1867

Bachelor
Spinster

Publican

24 years
27 years

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

4 months
4 months

at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hardy St., Nelson

7 October 1858

Rev. John Warren

No	50
Date of Notice	7 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Martin	Elizabeth Ainley Matthews
BDM Match (78%)	John Martin	Elizth Mathews
	💍 1858/1867
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Publican
Age	24 years	27 years
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 months	4 months
Marriage Place	at the Wesleyan Chapel, Hardy St., Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Warren

13 October 1858

Andrew Rutherford
Laura Jeffries

Andrew Rutherford
Laura Jeffries
💍 1858/1885

Bachelor
Spinster

Wheelwright

24 years
20 years

Waimea South
Waimea South

7 years
16 years

at the residence of Mr. Geo. Rutherford, Waimea South

William Jeffries Father

29 October 1858

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	51
Date of Notice	13 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Andrew Rutherford	Laura Jeffries
	💍 1858/1885
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Wheelwright
Age	24 years	20 years
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea South
Length of Residence	7 years	16 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. Geo. Rutherford, Waimea South
Folio
Consent	William Jeffries Father
Date of Certificate	29 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

18 October 1858

Joseph Bradcock
Mary Anne Howieson

Joseph Bradcock
Mary A Howerson
💍 1858/1808

Bachelor
Widow

Sawyer

31 years
31 years

Suburban South
Suburban south

4 years
4 years

at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson

not issued

No	52
Date of Notice	18 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Bradcock	Mary Anne Howieson
BDM Match (86%)	Joseph Bradcock	Mary A Howerson
	💍 1858/1808
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Sawyer
Age	31 years	31 years
Dwelling Place	Suburban South	Suburban south
Length of Residence	4 years	4 years
Marriage Place	at the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate
Officiating Minister	not issued

23 October 1858

Henry Sutton
Emma Charlotte King

Henry Sutton
Emma C King
💍 1858/1811

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

22 years
21 years

Waimea East
Town of Nelson

8 years
5 years

at the residence of James King, Oxford Cottage, Vanguard St., Nelson

4 November 1858

Rev. John Warren

No	53
Date of Notice	23 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Sutton	Emma Charlotte King
BDM Match (79%)	Henry Sutton	Emma C King
	💍 1858/1811
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	22 years	21 years
Dwelling Place	Waimea East	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	8 years	5 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of James King, Oxford Cottage, Vanguard St., Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 November 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Warren

26 October 1858

Joseph John Herrick
Helen Letitia Hammond

Joseph J Herrick
Helen L Hammond
💍 1858/1814

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

27 years
18 years

Waimea South
Waimea South

10 years
10 years

at the residence of Daniel Moulder in the Town of Nelson

William Hammond Father

26 October 1858

Rev. John Warren

No	54
Date of Notice	26 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph John Herrick	Helen Letitia Hammond
BDM Match (78%)	Joseph J Herrick	Helen L Hammond
	💍 1858/1814
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	27 years	18 years
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea South
Length of Residence	10 years	10 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Daniel Moulder in the Town of Nelson
Folio
Consent	William Hammond Father
Date of Certificate	26 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Warren

27 October 1858

Joseph Bradcock
Mary Anne Howieson

Joseph Bradcock
Mary A Howerson
💍 1858/1808

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawyer

31 years
31 years

Suburban South
Suburban South

4 years
4 years

at the residence of Mr Thomas Berry, Government Depot, Nelson

27 October 1858

Rev. John Warren

No	55
Date of Notice	27 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Bradcock	Mary Anne Howieson
BDM Match (86%)	Joseph Bradcock	Mary A Howerson
	💍 1858/1808
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawyer
Age	31 years	31 years
Dwelling Place	Suburban South	Suburban South
Length of Residence	4 years	4 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr Thomas Berry, Government Depot, Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 October 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Warren

30 October 1858

William Palmer
Mary Small

William Palmer
Mary Small
💍 1858/1947

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

19 years
18 years

Waimea South
Waimea south

5 years
5 years

at the protestant Episcopalian Church, Spring Grove, Waimea South

Elizabeth Hyde Mother James Small father

15 November 1858

Rev. Samuel Poole

No	56
Date of Notice	30 October 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Palmer	Mary Small
	💍 1858/1947
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	19 years	18 years
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea south
Length of Residence	5 years	5 years
Marriage Place	at the protestant Episcopalian Church, Spring Grove, Waimea South
Folio
Consent	Elizabeth Hyde Mother James Small father
Date of Certificate	15 November 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. Samuel Poole

1 December 1858

William Picton
Ann Hughes Smith

William Picton
Ann Hughes Smith
💍 1858/1852

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawyer

33 years
25 years

Town of Nelson
Town of Nelson

3 weeks
9 months

at the residence of Mr. Geo. Browning, Bridge St., Nelson

1 December 1858

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	57
Date of Notice	1 December 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Picton	Ann Hughes Smith
	💍 1858/1852
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawyer
Age	33 years	25 years
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Town of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 weeks	9 months
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. Geo. Browning, Bridge St., Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 December 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

6 December 1858

Johann George Gottfried Sixtus
Margaretha Dorothea Adelheid Bensenann

Johann Georg Gottfried Sixtus
Margretha Dorothea Adelheid Bensemann
💍 1859/2177

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

28 years
21 years

Upper Moutere
Upper Moutere

3 years
2 years

In the School house, Upper Moutere

6 December 1858

Rev. Jno Wm. Chris Heine

No	58
Date of Notice	6 December 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Johann George Gottfried Sixtus	Margaretha Dorothea Adelheid Bensenann
BDM Match (96%)	Johann Georg Gottfried Sixtus	Margretha Dorothea Adelheid Bensemann
	💍 1859/2177
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	28 years	21 years
Dwelling Place	Upper Moutere	Upper Moutere
Length of Residence	3 years	2 years
Marriage Place	In the School house, Upper Moutere
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 December 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. Jno Wm. Chris Heine

7 December 1858

Quintin Hill
Jemima Badman

Quintin Hill
Jemima Badman
💍 1858/1816

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

22 years
23 years

Town of Nelson
Waimea South

3 days
3 years

at the residence of Mr. Saml Badman, Waimea South

8 December 1858

Rev. John Warren

No	59
Date of Notice	7 December 1858
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Quintin Hill	Jemima Badman
	💍 1858/1816
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	22 years	23 years
Dwelling Place	Town of Nelson	Waimea South
Length of Residence	3 days	3 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. Saml Badman, Waimea South
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 December 1858
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Warren

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).