Intentions to Marry, 1872

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840384, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Page 303

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 March 1872 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

2 January 1872

Thomas Renwick
Anne Smith

Thomas Renwick
Anne Smith
💍 1872/5480

Widower
Spinster

Physician

52
27

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

29 years
3 years

at the Presbyterian Church, Nelson

72/1288

2 January 1872

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	1
Date of Notice	2 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Renwick	Anne Smith
	💍 1872/5480
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Physician
Age	52	27
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	29 years	3 years
Marriage Place	at the Presbyterian Church, Nelson
Folio	72/1288
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

2 January 1872

Donald John Fraser McRae
Ann Muller McGuier

Donald John Fraser McRae
Ann Maller McGuier
💍 1872/5477

Widower
Widow

Contractor

38
39

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

4 years
8 years

at the residence of Ann Muller McGuier, Waimea Rd., Nelson

72/1287

2 January 1872

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	2
Date of Notice	2 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Donald John Fraser McRae	Ann Muller McGuier
BDM Match (97%)	Donald John Fraser McRae	Ann Maller McGuier
	💍 1872/5477
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Contractor
Age	38	39
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	8 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Ann Muller McGuier, Waimea Rd., Nelson
Folio	72/1287
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

3 January 1872

Richard McConvill
Ellen Murphy

Richard McCouvill
Ellen Murphy
💍 1872/8597

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

32
25

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

2 years
2 years

At the Catholic Church, Nelson

72/2346

3 January 1872

Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

No	3
Date of Notice	3 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard McConvill	Ellen Murphy
BDM Match (97%)	Richard McCouvill	Ellen Murphy
	💍 1872/8597
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	32	25
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	2 years
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2346
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

11 January 1872

Thomas Martin
Maryann Davis

Thomas Martin
Mary Ann Davis
💍 1872/8624

Bachelor
Spinster

Hop grower

24
22

Waimea West
Waimea West

3 years
22 years

at St: Michaels Church, Waimea West

72/2356

11 January 1872

Rev. Charles Oliver Mules

No	4
Date of Notice	11 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Martin	Maryann Davis
BDM Match (93%)	Thomas Martin	Mary Ann Davis
	💍 1872/8624
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Hop grower
Age	24	22
Dwelling Place	Waimea West	Waimea West
Length of Residence	3 years	22 years
Marriage Place	at St: Michaels Church, Waimea West
Folio	72/2356
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Charles Oliver Mules

13 January 1872

John Maver
Sarah Elizabeth Hardy

John Maver
Sarah Elizabeth Hardy
💍 1872/8642

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

30
25

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

1 week
13 years

At the residence of Isaac Hardy storekeeper, Bridge St., Nelson

72/2362

13 January 1872

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	5
Date of Notice	13 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Maver	Sarah Elizabeth Hardy
	💍 1872/8642
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	30	25
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	1 week	13 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Isaac Hardy storekeeper, Bridge St., Nelson
Folio	72/2362
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

19 January 1872

Michael Killeen
Elizabeth MacMahon

Michael Killeen
Elizabeth MacMahon
💍 1872/8600

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

27
27

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 days
3 days

At the Catholic Church, Nelson

72/2347

19 January 1872

Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

No	6
Date of Notice	19 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Michael Killeen	Elizabeth MacMahon
	💍 1872/8600
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	27	27
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2347
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

23 January 1872

Richard Beeby
Alice Roberts

Richard Beeby
Alice Roberts
💍 1872/8687

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

36
23

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

7 days
6 weeks

at the Office of the Registrar of marriages, Nelson

72/2378

23 January 1872

The Registrar of marriages

No	7
Date of Notice	23 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Beeby	Alice Roberts
	💍 1872/8687
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	36	23
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	7 days	6 weeks
Marriage Place	at the Office of the Registrar of marriages, Nelson
Folio	72/2378
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 January 1872
Officiating Minister	The Registrar of marriages

30 January 1872

Thomas Oliver Chittenden
Lucy Stagg

Thomas Oliver Chittenden
Lucy Stagg
💍 1872/5483

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

22
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

5 years
3 years

at the residence of Daniel Chittenden carpenter, Hardy St., Nelson

72/1289

30 January 1872

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	8
Date of Notice	30 January 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Oliver Chittenden	Lucy Stagg
	💍 1872/5483
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	22	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	5 years	3 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Daniel Chittenden carpenter, Hardy St., Nelson
Folio	72/1289
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 January 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

15 February 1872

Stephen Clinch
Sarah Rowbotham

Stephen Clinch
Sarah Rowbotham
💍 1872/8645

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter

21
20

City of Nelson
Stoke Suburban South

6 years
20 years

at the residence of Hugh Reece labourer, Alma St:, Nelson

72/2363

James Rowbotham Father

3 March 1872

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	9
Date of Notice	15 February 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Stephen Clinch	Sarah Rowbotham
	💍 1872/8645
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter
Age	21	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	Stoke Suburban South
Length of Residence	6 years	20 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Hugh Reece labourer, Alma St:, Nelson
Folio	72/2363
Consent	James Rowbotham Father
Date of Certificate	3 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

29 February 1872

Henry Miller
Elizabeth Voller

Henry Miller
Elizabeth Voller
💍 1872/5489

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

27
22

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

7 years
10 years

at the Wesleyan Church, Richmond

72/1292

29 February 1872

Rev. William Cannell

No	10
Date of Notice	29 February 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Miller	Elizabeth Voller
	💍 1872/5489
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	27	22
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	7 years	10 years
Marriage Place	at the Wesleyan Church, Richmond
Folio	72/1292
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 February 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Cannell

8 March 1872

Thomas Gardner
Sarah Womack

Thomas Gardner
Sarah Womack
💍 1872/8648

Bachelor
Widow

Drayman

29
38

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

16 years
4 years

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

72/2364

8 March 1872

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	11
Date of Notice	8 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Gardner	Sarah Womack
	💍 1872/8648
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Drayman
Age	29	38
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	16 years	4 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of The Rev. Edwd. Thomas, Manuka St., Nelson
Folio	72/2364
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

12 March 1872

Richard England McRae
Florence McShane

Richard England McRae
Florence MacShane
💍 1872/8615

Bachelor
Spinster

Sheep farmer

25
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

4 years
21 years

At Christ Church, Nelson

72/2353

12 March 1872

Rev. Geo: Henry Johnstone

No	12
Date of Notice	12 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard England McRae	Florence McShane
BDM Match (97%)	Richard England McRae	Florence MacShane
	💍 1872/8615
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sheep farmer
Age	25	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	21 years
Marriage Place	At Christ Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2353
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Geo: Henry Johnstone

16 March 1872

Richard Chattock
Hannah Alford

Richard Chattock
Hannah Alford
💍 1872/9044

Widower
Spinster

Schoolmaster

49
37

Wakefield Waimea South
City of Nelson

5 years
3 years

at All Saints Church, Nelson

72/2302

30 March 1872

Rev. Rich'd Joshua Thorpe

No	13
Date of Notice	16 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Chattock	Hannah Alford
	💍 1872/9044
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Schoolmaster
Age	49	37
Dwelling Place	Wakefield Waimea South	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	5 years	3 years
Marriage Place	at All Saints Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2302
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rich'd Joshua Thorpe

19 March 1872

William Boyd
Annie Maria Pahl

William Boyd
Annie Maria Pohl
💍 1872/8651

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawyer

25
20

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

5 months
5 months

At the residence of The Rev. Edward Thomas, Manuka St., Nelson

72/2365

William Pahl Father

19 March 1872

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	14
Date of Notice	19 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Boyd	Annie Maria Pahl
BDM Match (97%)	William Boyd	Annie Maria Pohl
	💍 1872/8651
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawyer
Age	25	20
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	5 months	5 months
Marriage Place	At the residence of The Rev. Edward Thomas, Manuka St., Nelson
Folio	72/2365
Consent	William Pahl Father
Date of Certificate	19 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

22 March 1872

John Francis Trask
Emily Mercer

John Francis Trask
Emily Mercer
💍 1872/3978

Bachelor
Widow

Butcher

31
29

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

11 years
8 years

at the residence of John Francis Trask butcher, Collingwood St., Nelson

72/2371

22 March 1872

Rev. William J. Watkin

No	15
Date of Notice	22 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Francis Trask	Emily Mercer
	💍 1872/3978
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Butcher
Age	31	29
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	11 years	8 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of John Francis Trask butcher, Collingwood St., Nelson
Folio	72/2371
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. William J. Watkin

26 March 1872

John McGlashen
Ellen Jane Newth

John McGlashan
Ellen Jane Newth
💍 1872/8672

Bachelor
Spinster

Livery Stable Keeper

21
19

City of Nelson
Waimea West

21 years
2 months

At the residence of Mark Newth the younger farmer, Waimea West

72/2372

Mark Newth Junr Father

26 March 1872

Rev. Charles Oliver Mules

No	16
Date of Notice	26 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John McGlashen	Ellen Jane Newth
BDM Match (96%)	John McGlashan	Ellen Jane Newth
	💍 1872/8672
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Livery Stable Keeper
Age	21	19
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	Waimea West
Length of Residence	21 years	2 months
Marriage Place	At the residence of Mark Newth the younger farmer, Waimea West
Folio	72/2372
Consent	Mark Newth Junr Father
Date of Certificate	26 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Charles Oliver Mules

27 March 1872

George Muncaster
Jane Elizabeth Rankin

George Muncaster
Jane Elizth Rankin
💍 1872/8669

Bachelor
Spinster

Jeweller

22
19

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

4 years
19 years

at the residence of David Liddle engineer, Washington Rd:, Nelson

72/2372

William Rankin Father

27 March 1872

Rev. William J. Watkin

No	17
Date of Notice	27 March 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Muncaster	Jane Elizabeth Rankin
BDM Match (93%)	George Muncaster	Jane Elizth Rankin
	💍 1872/8669
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Jeweller
Age	22	19
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	19 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of David Liddle engineer, Washington Rd:, Nelson
Folio	72/2372
Consent	William Rankin Father
Date of Certificate	27 March 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. William J. Watkin

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).