Intentions to Marry, 1868

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840380, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Page 353

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 1868 Registrar Robert Pickett

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 July 1868

John Valentine Nalder
Christiana Catherall

John Valentine Nalder
Christina Catherall
💍 1868/8123

Bachelor
Spinster

Bank messenger

22
28

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

12 years
9 months

At Christ church, Nelson

1212

16 July 1868

Rev. Geo. Henry Johnstone

No	71
Date of Notice	1 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Valentine Nalder	Christiana Catherall
BDM Match (98%)	John Valentine Nalder	Christina Catherall
	💍 1868/8123
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bank messenger
Age	22	28
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	12 years	9 months
Marriage Place	At Christ church, Nelson
Folio	1212
Consent
Date of Certificate	16 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo. Henry Johnstone

1 July 1868

Joshua Newport
Elizabeth Ellen Polglase

Joshua Newport
Elizabeth Ellen Polglase
💍 1868/7991

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

21
20

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

1 week
10 years

At the residence of Johanna Polglase widow, Brook St., Nelson

1166

Johanna Polglase, mother

1 July 1868

Rev. John Crump

No	72
Date of Notice	1 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joshua Newport	Elizabeth Ellen Polglase
	💍 1868/7991
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	21	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 week	10 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Johanna Polglase widow, Brook St., Nelson
Folio	1166
Consent	Johanna Polglase, mother
Date of Certificate	1 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Crump

3 July 1868

Richard Owens
Mary Elizabeth Skinner

Richard Owens
Mary Jane Perriam
💍 1868/4252

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

28
19

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

5 days
7 days

At the Presbyterian Church in Nelson

declaration No person in NZ having authority

2 July 1868

Rev. John Crump

No	73
Date of Notice	3 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Owens	Mary Elizabeth Skinner
BDM Match (68%)	Richard Owens	Mary Jane Perriam
	💍 1868/4252
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	28	19
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	5 days	7 days
Marriage Place	At the Presbyterian Church in Nelson
Folio
Consent	declaration No person in NZ having authority
Date of Certificate	2 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Crump

6 July 1868

Thomas Dodson
Sarah Watts

Thomas Hodson
Sarah Watts
💍 1868/8120

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

21
21

Suburban North
City of Nelson

21 years
9 years

as Christ church, Nelson

1211

22 July 1868

Rev. Geo. H. Johnstone

No	74
Date of Notice	6 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Dodson	Sarah Watts
BDM Match (96%)	Thomas Hodson	Sarah Watts
	💍 1868/8120
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	Suburban North	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	9 years
Marriage Place	as Christ church, Nelson
Folio	1211
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo. H. Johnstone

6 July 1868

Joshua Sigley
Helen Susanah Hough

Joshua Sigley
Helen Susannah Hough
💍 1868/7916

Bachelor
Spinster

Tinsmith

24
30

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

24 years
10 years

At the residence of Robert Burn, Trafalgar St. North, Nelson

1141

6 July 1868

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	75
Date of Notice	6 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joshua Sigley	Helen Susanah Hough
BDM Match (98%)	Joshua Sigley	Helen Susannah Hough
	💍 1868/7916
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Tinsmith
Age	24	30
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	24 years	10 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Robert Burn, Trafalgar St. North, Nelson
Folio	1141
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

7 July 1868

Gilbert Erskine Hugh Elliot
Bertha Mary Carew Gibson

Gilbert Ezekiel Hugh Elliot
Bertha Mary Carlie-Gibson
💍 1868/8117

Bachelor
Spinster

Gentleman

22
22

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

10 days
2 weeks

At Christ church, Nelson

1210

7 July 1868

Rev. Geo. Henry Johnstone

No	76
Date of Notice	7 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Gilbert Erskine Hugh Elliot	Bertha Mary Carew Gibson
BDM Match (85%)	Gilbert Ezekiel Hugh Elliot	Bertha Mary Carlie-Gibson
	💍 1868/8117
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Gentleman
Age	22	22
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	10 days	2 weeks
Marriage Place	At Christ church, Nelson
Folio	1210
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo. Henry Johnstone

9 July 1868

William Milner
Ann Dodson Swanson

William Milner
Ann Dodson Swanson
💍 1868/8036

Bachelor
Spinster

Draper

32
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

7 years
2 years

At the residence of Ronald Swanson tailor, Alton St., Nelson

1182

9 July 1868

Rev. John Davis

No	77
Date of Notice	9 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Milner	Ann Dodson Swanson
	💍 1868/8036
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Draper
Age	32	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	7 years	2 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Ronald Swanson tailor, Alton St., Nelson
Folio	1182
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Davis

15 July 1868

Hugh Ferguson
Mary Ann Clark

Hugh Ferguson
Mary Ann Clark
💍 1868/8057

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

36
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

1 week
21 years

At the Catholic Church in Nelson

1190

15 July 1868

Rev. Antoine M. Garin

No	78
Date of Notice	15 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Hugh Ferguson	Mary Ann Clark
	💍 1868/8057
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	36	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 week	21 years
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church in Nelson
Folio	1190
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine M. Garin

17 July 1868

Thomas Hope Fairey
Mary Wilhelmina Schumacher

Thomas Hope Fairey
Mary Wilhelmina Schumacher
💍 1868/7994

Bachelor
Spinster

Writing clerk

29
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

1 year
24 years

At the residence of Thomas H. Fairey, Alton St., Nelson

1167

1 August 1868

Rev. John Crump

No	79
Date of Notice	17 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Hope Fairey	Mary Wilhelmina Schumacher
	💍 1868/7994
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Writing clerk
Age	29	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 year	24 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Thomas H. Fairey, Alton St., Nelson
Folio	1167
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 August 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Crump

29 July 1868

William Herry Glass
Maria Withy Howell

William Henry Glass
Marcia Wittsy Howell
💍 1868/8174

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

27
17

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

16 months
7 years

At the residence of Maria Decima Howell widow, Brook St. Valley

1230

Maria Decima Howell mother

29 July 1868

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	80
Date of Notice	29 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Herry Glass	Maria Withy Howell
BDM Match (90%)	William Henry Glass	Marcia Wittsy Howell
	💍 1868/8174
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	27	17
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	16 months	7 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Maria Decima Howell widow, Brook St. Valley
Folio	1230
Consent	Maria Decima Howell mother
Date of Certificate	29 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

30 July 1868

Alexander Brown
Isabella Brown

Alexander Brown
Isabella Brown
💍 1868/7919

William Anderson
Isabella Brown
💍 1869/7386

Bachelor
Spinster

Engineer

37
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

6 years
20 years

At the residence of John Brown stone mason, Russell St., Nelson

1142

30 July 1868

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	81
Date of Notice	30 July 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alexander Brown	Isabella Brown
	💍 1868/7919
BDM Match (66%)	William Anderson	Isabella Brown
	💍 1869/7386
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engineer
Age	37	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	6 years	20 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of John Brown stone mason, Russell St., Nelson
Folio	1142
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 July 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

3 August 1868

Andrew Scott
Sarah Ann Eden

Andrew Scott
Sarah Ann Eden
💍 1868/7997

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

27
25

City of Nelson
Waimea East

8 years
25 years

At the residence of Richard Eden farmer, Ranzau

1168

3 August 1868

Rev. John Crump

No	82
Date of Notice	3 August 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Andrew Scott	Sarah Ann Eden
	💍 1868/7997
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	27	25
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	Waimea East
Length of Residence	8 years	25 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Richard Eden farmer, Ranzau
Folio	1168
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 August 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Crump

8 August 1868

Martin Bohen
Margaret Burke

Martin Bohen
Margaret Burke
💍 1868/8060

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith

24
24

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

10 days
3 days

At the Catholic Church, Nelson

1191

8 Aug 1868

Rev. Antoine M. Garin

No	83
Date of Notice	8 August 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Martin Bohen	Margaret Burke
	💍 1868/8060
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith
Age	24	24
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	10 days	3 days
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	1191
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 Aug 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine M. Garin

13 August 1868

William Dron
Jane Rutherford

William Dron
Jane Rutherford
💍 1868/7922

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

29
25

Waimea West
Waimea South

17 years
12 years

At the residence of George Rutherford wheelwright, Spring Grove

1143

13 Aug 1868

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	84
Date of Notice	13 August 1868
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Dron	Jane Rutherford
	💍 1868/7922
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	29	25
Dwelling Place	Waimea West	Waimea South
Length of Residence	17 years	12 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of George Rutherford wheelwright, Spring Grove
Folio	1143
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 Aug 1868
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

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

100% Contrast

100% Brightness

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).