Intentions to Marry, 1866

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840378, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Page 313

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 1866 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 July 1866

George Cook
Susan Eliza Matthews

George Cook
Susan Eliza Matthews
💍 1866/4167

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher

28
23

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 years
23 years

at Christ church, Nelson

885

2 July 1866

Rev. Geo: H Johnstone

No	51
Date of Notice	2 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Cook	Susan Eliza Matthews
	💍 1866/4167
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher
Age	28	23
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	23 years
Marriage Place	at Christ church, Nelson
Folio	885
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo: H Johnstone

3 July 1866

Thomas Nelson Neal
Selina Busch

Thomas Nelson Neal
Selina Busch
💍 1866/6850

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

23
17

Waimea East
Hope Waimea East

3 days
17 years

at the residence of William Neal bricklayer, Waimea East

843

Hans Heinrich Busch, father

3 July 1866

Rev. Edw. Thomas

No	52
Date of Notice	3 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Nelson Neal	Selina Busch
	💍 1866/6850
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	23	17
Dwelling Place	Waimea East	Hope Waimea East
Length of Residence	3 days	17 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of William Neal bricklayer, Waimea East
Folio	843
Consent	Hans Heinrich Busch, father
Date of Certificate	3 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edw. Thomas

3 July 1866

John Turner
Emily Ruff

John Turner
Emily Ruff
💍 1866/7036

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

26
17

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

8 years
6 years

at the residence of John Turner belonging to Thos: Freeman boat builder, Russell St., Nelson

66/909

Elizabeth Flower, mother

3 July 1866

Revd. William Kirk

No	53
Date of Notice	3 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Turner	Emily Ruff
	💍 1866/7036
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	26	17
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	8 years	6 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of John Turner belonging to Thos: Freeman boat builder, Russell St., Nelson
Folio	66/909
Consent	Elizabeth Flower, mother
Date of Certificate	3 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Revd. William Kirk

14 July 1866

Joseph William Crocker
Mary Ann Ranger

Joseph William Crocker
Mary Ann Ranger
💍 1866/6913

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

35
20

Waimea East
Waimea East

3 days
20 years

at the residence of James Ranger farmer, Richmond

864

James Ranger, father

14 July 1866

Rev. John Davis

No	54
Date of Notice	14 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph William Crocker	Mary Ann Ranger
	💍 1866/6913
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	35	20
Dwelling Place	Waimea East	Waimea East
Length of Residence	3 days	20 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of James Ranger farmer, Richmond
Folio	864
Consent	James Ranger, father
Date of Certificate	14 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Davis

24 July 1866

John Riddel
Elizabeth Hunt

John Riddell
Elizabeth Hunt
💍 1866/7039

Widower
Spinster

Compositor

49
42

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

9 months
2 years

at the residence of Margaret Herdman, Haven Road, Nelson

910

[UNCLEAR]

Rev. William Kirk

No	55
Date of Notice	24 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Riddel	Elizabeth Hunt
BDM Match (96%)	John Riddell	Elizabeth Hunt
	💍 1866/7039
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Compositor
Age	49	42
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	9 months	2 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Margaret Herdman, Haven Road, Nelson
Folio	910
Consent
Date of Certificate	[UNCLEAR]
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Kirk

26 July 1866

John McKenzie
Kate Canning

John McKenzie
Kate Canning
💍 1866/6925

Bachelor
Spinster

Ship's Steward

26
25

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 years
1 week

at the Catholic Church, Nelson

868

26 July 1866

Rev. Ant. M. Garin

No	56
Date of Notice	26 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John McKenzie	Kate Canning
	💍 1866/6925
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Ship's Steward
Age	26	25
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 years	1 week
Marriage Place	at the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	868
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Ant. M. Garin

28 July 1866

Thomas Samuel Tidd
Louisa Emma Midgley

Thomas Samuel Tidd
Louisa Emma Midgley
💍 1866/6916

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

23
20

Fox Hill
Fox Hill

23 years
7 years

at the residence of Henry Midgley carpenter, Fox Hill

865

Henry Midgley, father

28 July 1866

Rev. John Davis

No	57
Date of Notice	28 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Samuel Tidd	Louisa Emma Midgley
	💍 1866/6916
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	23	20
Dwelling Place	Fox Hill	Fox Hill
Length of Residence	23 years	7 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Henry Midgley carpenter, Fox Hill
Folio	865
Consent	Henry Midgley, father
Date of Certificate	28 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Davis

30 July 1866

Alfred Rutland Edwards
Mary Turner

Alfred Rutland Edwards
Mary Turner
💍 1866/6973

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

22
25

Suburban North
City of Nelson

1 year
5 years

at Christ church, Nelson

887

30 July 1866

Rev. Geo: H Johnstone

No	58
Date of Notice	30 July 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Rutland Edwards	Mary Turner
	💍 1866/6973
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	22	25
Dwelling Place	Suburban North	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 year	5 years
Marriage Place	at Christ church, Nelson
Folio	887
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 July 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo: H Johnstone

3 August 1866

Joseph Hoult
the younger
Ann Norah Griffin

Joseph Hoult
Ann Norah Griffin
💍 1866/6928

Widower
Spinster

Farmer

30
22

Wakefield
City of Nelson

20 years
4 years

at the Catholic Church, Nelson

869

3 August 1866

Rev. Ant. M. Garin

No	59
Date of Notice	3 August 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Hoult the younger	Ann Norah Griffin
	💍 1866/6928
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	30	22
Dwelling Place	Wakefield	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	4 years
Marriage Place	at the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	869
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 August 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Ant. M. Garin

3 August 1866

William Galbraith
Isabella Smith

William Galbraith
Isabella Smith
💍 1866/4351

Widower
Spinster

Bootmaker

38
32

Richmond
City of Nelson

1 year
3 years

at the residence of Frank Trask butcher, Selwyn Place, Nelson

858

3 August 1866

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	60
Date of Notice	3 August 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Galbraith	Isabella Smith
	💍 1866/4351
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Bootmaker
Age	38	32
Dwelling Place	Richmond	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 year	3 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Frank Trask butcher, Selwyn Place, Nelson
Folio	858
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 August 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

13 August 1866

Alfred Benjamin Jackson
Susan Simson

Alfred Benjamin Jackson
Susan Simson
💍 1866/7096

Bachelor
Spinster

Saddler

21
22

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

21 years
5 years

At the residence of Emanuel Ambrose Simson, carpenter, Brook St.

931

13 August 1866

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	61
Date of Notice	13 August 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Benjamin Jackson	Susan Simson
	💍 1866/7096
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Saddler
Age	21	22
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	5 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Emanuel Ambrose Simson, carpenter, Brook St.
Folio	931
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 August 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

13 August 1866

William James Scott
Agnes Catherine Cadell

William James Scott
Agnes Catharine Cadell
💍 1866/6898

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

30
19

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 years
7 years

at the residence of Philip Edward Cadell brewer, Beachville, Nelson

859

Philip Edw. Cadell, father

13 August 1866

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	62
Date of Notice	13 August 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William James Scott	Agnes Catherine Cadell
BDM Match (98%)	William James Scott	Agnes Catharine Cadell
	💍 1866/6898
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	30	19
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	7 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Philip Edward Cadell brewer, Beachville, Nelson
Folio	859
Consent	Philip Edw. Cadell, father
Date of Certificate	13 August 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

18 August 1866

Thomas Carter
Katherine Schroder

Thomas Carter
Catherine Schroder
💍 1866/6976

Bachelor
Spinster

Sheep owner

38
23

Late Hillersden now City of Nelson
Waimea East

11 days
10 years

at Christ church, Nelson

888

18 August 1866

Rev. Geo: H Johnstone

No	63
Date of Notice	18 August 1866
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Carter	Katherine Schroder
BDM Match (97%)	Thomas Carter	Catherine Schroder
	💍 1866/6976
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sheep owner
Age	38	23
Dwelling Place	Late Hillersden now City of Nelson	Waimea East
Length of Residence	11 days	10 years
Marriage Place	at Christ church, Nelson
Folio	888
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 August 1866
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo: H Johnstone

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).