Intentions to Marry, 1864

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840376, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Page 211

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 June 1864 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

1 April 1864

Joseph Walkling
Hannah King

Joseph Skalleling
Hannah King
💍 1864/8302

Bachelor
Spinster

Gardener

34
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

7 years
15 years

at the residence of James King, settler Vanguard Street

64/694

1 April 1864

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	23
Date of Notice	1 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Walkling	Hannah King
BDM Match (88%)	Joseph Skalleling	Hannah King
	💍 1864/8302
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Gardener
Age	34	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	7 years	15 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of James King, settler Vanguard Street
Folio	64/694
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

2 April 1864

Samuel Fittall
Ellen Maria Hooper

Samuel Fittall
Ellen Maria Hooper
💍 1864/8332

Bachelor
Spinster

Decorator

27
18

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

9 months
3 years

At the residence of Edwin Hooper storekeeper, Hardy Street

64/704

Edwin Hooper Father

16 May 1864

Rev. William Moore Biss

No	24
Date of Notice	2 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Samuel Fittall	Ellen Maria Hooper
	💍 1864/8332
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Decorator
Age	27	18
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	9 months	3 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Edwin Hooper storekeeper, Hardy Street
Folio	64/704
Consent	Edwin Hooper Father
Date of Certificate	16 May 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Moore Biss

8 April 1864

Joseph Gilson
Mary Ann Francis

Joseph Gilson
Mary Ann Francis
💍 1864/8028

Bachelor
Spinster

Carter

35
30

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

5 years
6 months

At the residence of Joseph Gilson, carter, Bridge Street

64/758

23 April 1864

Rev. William Kirk

No	25
Date of Notice	8 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Gilson	Mary Ann Francis
	💍 1864/8028
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carter
Age	35	30
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	5 years	6 months
Marriage Place	At the residence of Joseph Gilson, carter, Bridge Street
Folio	64/758
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

11 April 1864

William Thomas Kearns
Charlotte Whibby

William Thomas Kearns
Charlotte Whibby
💍 1864/3608

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

23
17

Richmond
Richmond

18 years
17 years

At Christ Church, Nelson

64/732

Edward Whibby Father

19 April 1864

Rev. George Henry Johnstone

No	26
Date of Notice	11 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Thomas Kearns	Charlotte Whibby
	💍 1864/3608
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	23	17
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Richmond
Length of Residence	18 years	17 years
Marriage Place	At Christ Church, Nelson
Folio	64/732
Consent	Edward Whibby Father
Date of Certificate	19 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. George Henry Johnstone

12 April 1864

John William Young
Lucretia Coleman

John Wm Young
Lucretia Coleman
💍 1864/7903

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

22
18

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

21 years
4 years

At the residence of John Braddock druggist, Waimea Street

64/759

Richard Coleman Father

12 April 1864

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	27
Date of Notice	12 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John William Young	Lucretia Coleman
BDM Match (86%)	John Wm Young	Lucretia Coleman
	💍 1864/7903
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	22	18
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	4 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of John Braddock druggist, Waimea Street
Folio	64/759
Consent	Richard Coleman Father
Date of Certificate	12 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

16 April 1864

George Bonnington
Isabella Kirk

George Bonnington
Isabella Kirk
💍 1864/8082

Bachelor
Spinster

Chemist

27
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 years
4 years

At Christ Church, Nelson

64/733

30 April 1864

Rev. George Henry Johnstone

No	28
Date of Notice	16 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Bonnington	Isabella Kirk
	💍 1864/8082
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Chemist
Age	27	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	4 years
Marriage Place	At Christ Church, Nelson
Folio	64/733
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. George Henry Johnstone

16 April 1864

Joseph Bonnington
Mary Nixon

Joseph Bonnington
Mary Nixon
💍 1864/8079

Bachelor
Spinster

Sheep Farmer

25
20

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 weeks
20 years

At Christ Church, Nelson

64/731

John Nixon Father

16 April 1864

Rev. George Henry Johnstone

No	29
Date of Notice	16 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Bonnington	Mary Nixon
	💍 1864/8079
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sheep Farmer
Age	25	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 weeks	20 years
Marriage Place	At Christ Church, Nelson
Folio	64/731
Consent	John Nixon Father
Date of Certificate	16 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. George Henry Johnstone

25 April 1864

Henry Hecc
Ellen Shannon

Henry Heec
Ellen Shannon
💍 1864/7981

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

21
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 months
9 years

at the residence of Michael Shannon farmer, Nile Street

64/788

Michael Shannon Father

25 April 1864

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	30
Date of Notice	25 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Hecc	Ellen Shannon
BDM Match (95%)	Henry Heec	Ellen Shannon
	💍 1864/7981
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 months	9 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Michael Shannon farmer, Nile Street
Folio	64/788
Consent	Michael Shannon Father
Date of Certificate	25 April 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

25 April 1864

Edward Pearcy
Sarah Jane Dellow

Edward Pearcy
Sarah Jane Dellon
💍 1864/8031

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

24
16

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 years
16 years

at the residence of John Dellow mariner, Russell Street

64/713

Ann Dellow Mother

10 May 1864

Rev. William Kirk

No	31
Date of Notice	25 April 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Pearcy	Sarah Jane Dellow
BDM Match (97%)	Edward Pearcy	Sarah Jane Dellon
	💍 1864/8031
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	24	16
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 years	16 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of John Dellow mariner, Russell Street
Folio	64/713
Consent	Ann Dellow Mother
Date of Certificate	10 May 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

10 May 1864

Daniel Talbot
the younger
Jane Amelia Allen

Daniel Talbot
Jane Amelia Allen
💍 1864/4125

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

21
20

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

14 days
14 days

64/712

Kezia Francois, mother

10 May 1864

Rev. William Kirk

No	32
Date of Notice	10 May 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Daniel Talbot the younger	Jane Amelia Allen
	💍 1864/4125
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	21	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	14 days	14 days
Marriage Place
Folio	64/712
Consent	Kezia Francois, mother
Date of Certificate	10 May 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

12 May 1864

James Simpson
Charlotte O'Brien

James Simpson
Charlotte O'Brian
💍 1864/7909

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

28
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

15 months
7 years

At the residence of Robert Simpson blacksmith, Washington Valley

64/761

31 May 1864

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	33
Date of Notice	12 May 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Simpson	Charlotte O'Brien
BDM Match (97%)	James Simpson	Charlotte O'Brian
	💍 1864/7909
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	28	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	15 months	7 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Robert Simpson blacksmith, Washington Valley
Folio	64/761
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 May 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

14 May 1864

Henry Warren
Sarah Ann Coleman

Henry Warren
Sarah Anne Coleman
💍 1864/8034

Bachelor
Widow

Butcher

31
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

11 months
7 years

at the residence of William Ball carpenter, Washington Valley

64/714

14 May 1864

Rev. William Kirk

No	34
Date of Notice	14 May 1864
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Warren	Sarah Ann Coleman
BDM Match (97%)	Henry Warren	Sarah Anne Coleman
	💍 1864/8034
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Butcher
Age	31	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	11 months	7 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of William Ball carpenter, Washington Valley
Folio	64/714
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 May 1864
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

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 1908. 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).