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 257

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 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

Arthur Robert Dudley
Isabella Kilgour

Auther Robert Dudley
Isobella Kilgour
💍 1865/6797

Vide last Return

919

25 July 1865

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	36
Date of Notice
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Robert Dudley	Isabella Kilgour
BDM Match (92%)	Auther Robert Dudley	Isobella Kilgour
	💍 1865/6797
Condition	Vide last Return
Profession
Age
Dwelling Place
Length of Residence
Marriage Place
Folio	919
Consent
Date of Certificate	25 July 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

1 July 1865

Alexander Svend Dreyer
Mary Wilkinson

Alexander Svend Dreyer
Mary Wilkinson
💍 1865/6905

Bachelor
Spinster

Gentleman

37
28

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 years
22 years

At the Office of The Registrar of marriages, Nelson

955

1 July 1865

The Reg. of marriages (John Poynter)

No	39
Date of Notice	1 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alexander Svend Dreyer	Mary Wilkinson
	💍 1865/6905
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Gentleman
Age	37	28
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	22 years
Marriage Place	At the Office of The Registrar of marriages, Nelson
Folio	955
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 July 1865
Officiating Minister	The Reg. of marriages (John Poynter)

4 July 1865

John Paynter
Mary Ann Burlace

John Paynter
Mary Ann Burlace
💍 1865/6740

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

20
16

Suburban South
Suburban South

2 years
9 years

At the residence of The Rev. Will. Kirk, Hardy Street, Nelson

898

William Paynter Father; William Burlace Father

4 July 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	40
Date of Notice	4 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Paynter	Mary Ann Burlace
	💍 1865/6740
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	20	16
Dwelling Place	Suburban South	Suburban South
Length of Residence	2 years	9 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of The Rev. Will. Kirk, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	898
Consent	William Paynter Father; William Burlace Father
Date of Certificate	4 July 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

8 July 1865

John Harris Ching
Emma Jellyman

John Harris Ching
Emma Jellyman
💍 1865/6743

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

21
22

Suburban North
Suburban South

4 months
21 years

At the Wesleyan Chapel, Suburban Sth.

65/899

8 July 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	41
Date of Notice	8 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Harris Ching	Emma Jellyman
	💍 1865/6743
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	21	22
Dwelling Place	Suburban North	Suburban South
Length of Residence	4 months	21 years
Marriage Place	At the Wesleyan Chapel, Suburban Sth.
Folio	65/899
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 July 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

27 July 1865

John Grooby
Eliza Wratten

John Grosby
Eliza Wratten
💍 1865/6848

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawyer

24
20

Waimea West
Waimea West

6 days
15 years

At the Presbyterian Church in Nelson

935

James Wratten Father

27 July 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	42
Date of Notice	27 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Grooby	Eliza Wratten
BDM Match (95%)	John Grosby	Eliza Wratten
	💍 1865/6848
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawyer
Age	24	20
Dwelling Place	Waimea West	Waimea West
Length of Residence	6 days	15 years
Marriage Place	At the Presbyterian Church in Nelson
Folio	935
Consent	James Wratten Father
Date of Certificate	27 July 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

28 July 1865

John George
Jane Scadden

John George
Jane Scadden
💍 1865/6851

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher

25
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 months
2 years

At the residence of Richard Scadden settler, Washington Road

936

28 July 1865

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	43
Date of Notice	28 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John George	Jane Scadden
	💍 1865/6851
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher
Age	25	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 months	2 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Richard Scadden settler, Washington Road
Folio	936
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 July 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

28 July 1865

John Lethbridge D'albedyhll
Elizabeth Garner

John Lethbridge D'Albedijhill
Elizabeth Garner
💍 1865/6908

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant

29
22

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 months
2 weeks

At the residence of Mrs. Anne Dunn, Waimea Street

936

28 July 1865

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	44
Date of Notice	28 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Lethbridge D'albedyhll	Elizabeth Garner
BDM Match (93%)	John Lethbridge D'Albedijhill	Elizabeth Garner
	💍 1865/6908
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant
Age	29	22
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 months	2 weeks
Marriage Place	At the residence of Mrs. Anne Dunn, Waimea Street
Folio	936
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 July 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

29 July 1865

John Lethbridge D'Albedyhll
Elizabeth Garner

John Lethbridge D'Albedijhill
Elizabeth Garner
💍 1865/6908

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant

29
22

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 months
2 weeks

At the Office of The Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

936

29 July 1865

The Reg. of Marriages (John Poynter)

No	45
Date of Notice	29 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Lethbridge D'Albedyhll	Elizabeth Garner
BDM Match (95%)	John Lethbridge D'Albedijhill	Elizabeth Garner
	💍 1865/6908
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant
Age	29	22
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 months	2 weeks
Marriage Place	At the Office of The Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	936
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 July 1865
Officiating Minister	The Reg. of Marriages (John Poynter)

17 July 1865

George Henry Slatter
Rachael Graves

George Henry Slatter
Rachel Graves
💍 1865/6746

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

26
20

Nelson
Nelson

3 days
6 days

At the residence of Sarah Slatter, Nile Street East, Nelson

900

Abel Graves Father

5 Aug 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	46
Date of Notice	17 July 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Henry Slatter	Rachael Graves
BDM Match (96%)	George Henry Slatter	Rachel Graves
	💍 1865/6746
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	26	20
Dwelling Place	Nelson	Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	6 days
Marriage Place	At the residence of Sarah Slatter, Nile Street East, Nelson
Folio	900
Consent	Abel Graves Father
Date of Certificate	5 Aug 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

7 Augt 1865

James Marsh
Margaret Parsons

James Marsh
Margaret Parsons
💍 1865/6752

Widower
Widow

Labourer

39
25

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 months
5 years

At the Wesleyan Chapel, Hardy Street, Nelson

902

7 Aug 1865

Rev. William Kirk

No	47
Date of Notice	7 Augt 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Marsh	Margaret Parsons
	💍 1865/6752
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Labourer
Age	39	25
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 months	5 years
Marriage Place	At the Wesleyan Chapel, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	902
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 Aug 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

9 Augt 1865

Charles Augustus Leopold Leov
Phoebe Maria Sullivan

Charles Augustus Leopold Leon
Phoebe Maria Sullivan
💍 1865/6779

Bachelor
Spinster

Merchant

39
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 days
20 years

At the Catholic Church, Nelson

911

9 Augt 1865

Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

No	48
Date of Notice	9 Augt 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Augustus Leopold Leov	Phoebe Maria Sullivan
BDM Match (98%)	Charles Augustus Leopold Leon	Phoebe Maria Sullivan
	💍 1865/6779
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Merchant
Age	39	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	20 years
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	911
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 Augt 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

22 Augt 1865

John Terry
Margaret McCormack

John Terry
Margaret McCormick
💍 1865/6782

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

33
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

9 years
4 years

At the Catholic Church in Nelson

912

22 Aug 1865

Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

No	49
Date of Notice	22 Augt 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Terry	Margaret McCormack
BDM Match (97%)	John Terry	Margaret McCormick
	💍 1865/6782
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	33	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	9 years	4 years
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church in Nelson
Folio	912
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 Aug 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

23 Augt 1865

Alfred Allport
Ellen Cummings

Alfred Allport
Ellen Cummings
💍 1865/6812

Bachelor
Widow

Farmer

35
30

Suburban South
Suburban South

18 years
6 years

At the residence of John Brown, farmer, Suburban North

914

23 Aug 1865

Rev. John Davis

No	50
Date of Notice	23 Augt 1865
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Allport	Ellen Cummings
	💍 1865/6812
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Farmer
Age	35	30
Dwelling Place	Suburban South	Suburban South
Length of Residence	18 years	6 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of John Brown, farmer, Suburban North
Folio	914
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 Aug 1865
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Davis

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).