1865 Intentions to Marry

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840377, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Page 255

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 June 1865 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 1865

William Page
Caroline Louisa Henrietta Manssen

William Page
Caroline Louisa Henrietta Manssen
💍 1865/6881

Bachelor
Spinster

Bricklayer

24
23

Suburban North
Suburban North

13 years
13 years

At the lower School house, Suburban Nth

946

1 April 1865

Rev. Geo. Henry Johnstone

No	19
Date of Notice	1 April 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Page	Caroline Louisa Henrietta Manssen
	💍 1865/6881
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bricklayer
Age	24	23
Dwelling Place	Suburban North	Suburban North
Length of Residence	13 years	13 years
Marriage Place	At the lower School house, Suburban Nth
Folio	946
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 April 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo. Henry Johnstone

8 April 1865

William Fletcher
Harriet Dickens

William Fletcher
Nanett Dickens
💍 1865/6833

Bachelor
Spinster

Store Keeper

34
19

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 weeks
3 weeks

At the residence of George Dickens paper hanger, Bridge Street, Nelson

930

Declaration "no person in NZ having authority to consent"

8 April 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	20
Date of Notice	8 April 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Fletcher	Harriet Dickens
BDM Match (83%)	William Fletcher	Nanett Dickens
	💍 1865/6833
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Store Keeper
Age	34	19
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 weeks	3 weeks
Marriage Place	At the residence of George Dickens paper hanger, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	930
Consent	Declaration "no person in NZ having authority to consent"
Date of Certificate	8 April 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

18 April 1865

William Thomas Jenkin
Mary Jane Williams

William T Jenkin
Mary Jane Williams
💍 1865/6719

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

27
26

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

4 months
1 year

At the residence of the Rev. William Kirk Wesleyan minister, Hardy Street

891

2 May 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	21
Date of Notice	18 April 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Thomas Jenkin	Mary Jane Williams
BDM Match (88%)	William T Jenkin	Mary Jane Williams
	💍 1865/6719
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	27	26
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 months	1 year
Marriage Place	At the residence of the Rev. William Kirk Wesleyan minister, Hardy Street
Folio	891
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

2 May 1865

George Verry
Martha Gibbs

George Verry
Martha Gibbs
💍 1865/6791

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

27
18

Waimea South
Waimea South

20 years
12 years

At the residence of The Rev. Edwd Thomas, Manuka Street, Nelson

917

James Gibbs, Father

2 May 1865

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	22
Date of Notice	2 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Verry	Martha Gibbs
	💍 1865/6791
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	27	18
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea South
Length of Residence	20 years	12 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of The Rev. Edwd Thomas, Manuka Street, Nelson
Folio	917
Consent	James Gibbs, Father
Date of Certificate	2 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

8 May 1865

William Wells
Jessie Newport

William Wells
Jessie Newport
💍 1865/6845

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

29
25

Waimea South
Appleby

11 years
13 years

At the residence of Joseph Newport farmer, Appleby

934

23 May 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	23
Date of Notice	8 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Wells	Jessie Newport
	💍 1865/6845
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	29	25
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Appleby
Length of Residence	11 years	13 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Joseph Newport farmer, Appleby
Folio	934
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

8 May 1865

John Daly
Margaret Disher

John Daly
Margaret Disher
💍 1865/6836

Bachelor
Spinster

Flockowner

33
23

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

4 days
3 years

At the "Trafalgar Hotel", Trafalgar Street, Nelson

931

8 May 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	24
Date of Notice	8 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Daly	Margaret Disher
	💍 1865/6836
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Flockowner
Age	33	23
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	3 years
Marriage Place	At the "Trafalgar Hotel", Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	931
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

10 May 1865

Robert Donald
Annie Phillips

Robert Donald
Annie Philipps
💍 1865/6839

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

45
20

Tadmor Hill
Tadmor Hill

3 years
2 years

At the Presbyterian Church in Nelson

932

Henry Phillips Father

10 May 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	25
Date of Notice	10 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Donald	Annie Phillips
BDM Match (93%)	Robert Donald	Annie Philipps
	💍 1865/6839
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	45	20
Dwelling Place	Tadmor Hill	Tadmor Hill
Length of Residence	3 years	2 years
Marriage Place	At the Presbyterian Church in Nelson
Folio	932
Consent	Henry Phillips Father
Date of Certificate	10 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

12 May 1865

Robert Gilchrist
Euphemia Graham

Robert Gilchrist
Euphemia Graham
💍 1865/6842

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter

32
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

9 weeks
3 days

At the Manse, Presbyterian Church, Nelson

933

12 May 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	26
Date of Notice	12 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Gilchrist	Euphemia Graham
	💍 1865/6842
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter
Age	32	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	9 weeks	3 days
Marriage Place	At the Manse, Presbyterian Church, Nelson
Folio	933
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

18 May 1865

William Astle
Elizabeth Ruff

William Astle
Elizabeth Ruff
💍 1865/6722

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

24
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

21 years
5 years

At the residence of William Astle carpenter, Collingwood St., Nelson

891

18 May 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	27
Date of Notice	18 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Astle	Elizabeth Ruff
	💍 1865/6722
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	24	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	5 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of William Astle carpenter, Collingwood St., Nelson
Folio	891
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

19 May 1865

Arthur John Bradey
Mary Jane Jordan

Arthur John Bradley
Mary Jane Jordon
💍 1865/6725

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

25
26

Suburban South
Suburban South

13 years
2 weeks

At the Wesleyan Chapel, Suburban South

893

19 May 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	28
Date of Notice	19 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur John Bradey	Mary Jane Jordan
BDM Match (94%)	Arthur John Bradley	Mary Jane Jordon
	💍 1865/6725
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	25	26
Dwelling Place	Suburban South	Suburban South
Length of Residence	13 years	2 weeks
Marriage Place	At the Wesleyan Chapel, Suburban South
Folio	893
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

25 May 1865

Henry Thomas Hall
Margaret Elizabeth Young

Henry Thomas Hall
Margaret Elizabeth Young
💍 1865/6794

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

26
20

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

4 years
20 years

At the residence of Hugh Young carpenter, Tasman St., Nelson

918

Hugh Young Father

25 May 1865

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	29
Date of Notice	25 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Thomas Hall	Margaret Elizabeth Young
	💍 1865/6794
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	26	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	20 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Hugh Young carpenter, Tasman St., Nelson
Folio	918
Consent	Hugh Young Father
Date of Certificate	25 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

27 May 1865

Benjamin Primmer
Sarah Tasker

Benjamin Primmer
Sarah Tasker
💍 1865/6728

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

23
21

Richmond
Richmond

15 years
4 years

At the residence of Joseph Primmer farmer, Richmond

894

27 May 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	30
Date of Notice	27 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Benjamin Primmer	Sarah Tasker
	💍 1865/6728
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	23	21
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Richmond
Length of Residence	15 years	4 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Joseph Primmer farmer, Richmond
Folio	894
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

27 May 1865

Alfred Henry Brind
Mary Harriett Sophia Weeden

Alfred Henry Brind
Mary Harriet Sophia Weeden
💍 1865/6731

Bachelor
Spinster

Settler

22
20

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

1 month
1 month

At the Wesleyan Chapel, Hardy Street, Nelson

895

William Weeden Father

29 May 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	31
Date of Notice	27 May 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Henry Brind	Mary Harriett Sophia Weeden
BDM Match (98%)	Alfred Henry Brind	Mary Harriet Sophia Weeden
	💍 1865/6731
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Settler
Age	22	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 month	1 month
Marriage Place	At the Wesleyan Chapel, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	895
Consent	William Weeden Father
Date of Certificate	29 May 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

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

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Attribution: This image was digitised by Archives NZ Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga and is republished here under CC BY. It has been cropped and rotated for convenience.

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).