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 309

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 December 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

22 October 1872

Arthur Earnshaw
Gertrude Ruff

Arthur Earnshaw
Gertrude Ruff
💍 1872/8657

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner

28
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

12 years
12 years

at the residence of The Revd Edw Thomas, Manuka St., Nelson

72/2367

22 October 1872

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	38
Date of Notice	22 October 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Earnshaw	Gertrude Ruff
	💍 1872/8657
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner
Age	28	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	12 years	12 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of The Revd Edw Thomas, Manuka St., Nelson
Folio	72/2367
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 October 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

28 October 1872

John Earll Sherwood
Hannah Broom Walker

John Earll Sherwood
Hannah Broom Walker
💍 1872/8594

Bachelor
Spinster

Cabinetmaker

21
19

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

17 years
19 years

at the residence of William Walker settler, Waimea Road

72/2345

William Walker Father

12 November 1872

Rev. Decimus Dolamore

No	39
Date of Notice	28 October 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Earll Sherwood	Hannah Broom Walker
	💍 1872/8594
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Cabinetmaker
Age	21	19
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	17 years	19 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of William Walker settler, Waimea Road
Folio	72/2345
Consent	William Walker Father
Date of Certificate	12 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Decimus Dolamore

6 November 1872

Henry Score Sanders
Mary Ann Wimsett

Henry Score Sanders
Mary Ann Wimsett
💍 1872/8660

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

24
23

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

11 years
15 years

at the residence of Henry Score Sanders, Grove Street, Nelson

72/2368

21 November 1872

Rev. Edward Thomas

No	40
Date of Notice	6 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Score Sanders	Mary Ann Wimsett
	💍 1872/8660
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	24	23
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	11 years	15 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Henry Score Sanders, Grove Street, Nelson
Folio	72/2368
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Thomas

9 November 1872

Frederick Atkinson
Leah Frost

Frederick Atkinson
Leah Frost
💍 1872/8588

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

28
23

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

9 years
16 years

at the residence of Frederick Atkinson, Haven Road, Nelson

72/2343

9 November 1872

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	41
Date of Notice	9 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick Atkinson	Leah Frost
	💍 1872/8588
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	28	23
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	9 years	16 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Frederick Atkinson, Haven Road, Nelson
Folio	72/2343
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

9 November 1872

John Armstrong
Margaret Timms

John Armstrong
Margaret Timms
💍 1872/8609

Widower
Widow

Carter

54
46

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

31 years
3 years

At the Catholic Church, Nelson

72/2351

9 November 1872

Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

No	42
Date of Notice	9 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Armstrong	Margaret Timms
	💍 1872/8609
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Carter
Age	54	46
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	31 years	3 years
Marriage Place	At the Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2351
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine Marie Garin

15 November 1872

William George McGee
Margaret Davison

Wm George McGhee
Margaret Davison
💍 1872/8585

Bachelor
Spinster

Engineer

22
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

22 years
7 years

at the Presbyterian Church, Nelson

72/2342

15 November 1872

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	43
Date of Notice	15 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William George McGee	Margaret Davison
BDM Match (85%)	Wm George McGhee	Margaret Davison
	💍 1872/8585
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engineer
Age	22	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	22 years	7 years
Marriage Place	at the Presbyterian Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2342
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

18 November 1872

Henry William Parsons
Gertrude Knyvett

Henry William Parsons
Gertrude Knyvett
💍 1872/8666

Bachelor
Spinster

Settler

26
26

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 days
2 months

at All Saints Church, Nelson

72/2370

18 November 1872

Rev. Richd Joshua Thorpe

No	44
Date of Notice	18 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry William Parsons	Gertrude Knyvett
	💍 1872/8666
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Settler
Age	26	26
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	2 months
Marriage Place	at All Saints Church, Nelson
Folio	72/2370
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Richd Joshua Thorpe

18 November 1872

Alfred John James
Emily Palmer

Alfred John James
Emily Palmer
💍 1872/8636

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher

26
24

Waimea South
Waimea West

2 years
24 years

at St. Michaels Church, Waimea West

72/2360

18 November 1872

Rev. Chas Oliver Mules

No	45
Date of Notice	18 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred John James	Emily Palmer
	💍 1872/8636
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher
Age	26	24
Dwelling Place	Waimea South	Waimea West
Length of Residence	2 years	24 years
Marriage Place	at St. Michaels Church, Waimea West
Folio	72/2360
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Chas Oliver Mules

23 November 1872

Charles Larkins
Frances Betts

Charles Larkins
Frances Betts
💍 1872/8684

Bachelor
Spinster

Steward

29
23

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 days
18 years

at the residence of Alfred George Betts storekeeper, Hardy Street, Nelson

72/2377

23 November 1872

Rev. Willm. I. Watkin

No	46
Date of Notice	23 November 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Larkins	Frances Betts
	💍 1872/8684
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Steward
Age	29	23
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	18 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Alfred George Betts storekeeper, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	72/2377
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 November 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Willm. I. Watkin

3 December 1872

George Armstrong
Charlotte Ann Matthews

George Armstrong
Charlotte Anne Matthews
💍 1872/8663

Bachelor
Spinster

Carter

22
21

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

22 years
12 years

at the residence of George Matthews maltster, Cambria St., Nelson

72/2369

3 December 1872

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	47
Date of Notice	3 December 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Armstrong	Charlotte Ann Matthews
BDM Match (98%)	George Armstrong	Charlotte Anne Matthews
	💍 1872/8663
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carter
Age	22	21
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	22 years	12 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of George Matthews maltster, Cambria St., Nelson
Folio	72/2369
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 December 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

14 December 1872

Edward Burman Waring
Alice Buxton

Edward Burman Waring
Alice Buxton
💍 1873/8203

Bachelor
Spinster

Medical Practitioner

31
30

Richmond
Stoke Suburban

1 year
10 years

At St. Barnabas Church, Stoke

73/1150

14 December 1872

Rev. The Lord Bishop of Nelson

No	48
Date of Notice	14 December 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Burman Waring	Alice Buxton
	💍 1873/8203
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Medical Practitioner
Age	31	30
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Stoke Suburban
Length of Residence	1 year	10 years
Marriage Place	At St. Barnabas Church, Stoke
Folio	73/1150
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 December 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. The Lord Bishop of Nelson

14 December 1872

Nicholas Vendore
Fanny Clifford

Nicholas Vendore
Fanny Clifford
💍 1872/8612

Bachelor
Spinster

Fisherman

32
22

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

6 years
9 years

at St: Marys Catholic Church, Nelson.

72/2352

14 December 1872

Rev. Antoine M. Garin

No	49
Date of Notice	14 December 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Nicholas Vendore	Fanny Clifford
	💍 1872/8612
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Fisherman
Age	32	22
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	6 years	9 years
Marriage Place	at St: Marys Catholic Church, Nelson.
Folio	72/2352
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 December 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Antoine M. Garin

20 December 1872

Thomas Finch
Maria Carter

Thomas Finch
Maria Carter
💍 1872/5684

Bachelor
Spinster

Telegraph Lineman

30
18

City of Nelson
City of Nelson

3 days
3 days

at the residence of Hannah Rankin storekeeper, Hardy Street, Nelson

72/1357

George Carter Father

20 December 1872

Rev. William Moore Biss

No	50
Date of Notice	20 December 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Finch	Maria Carter
	💍 1872/5684
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Telegraph Lineman
Age	30	18
Dwelling Place	City of Nelson	City of Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	at the residence of Hannah Rankin storekeeper, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	72/1357
Consent	George Carter Father
Date of Certificate	20 December 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Moore Biss

21 December 1872

Charles Price
Elizabeth Eden

Charles Price
Elizabeth Eden
💍 1872/8639

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

28
25

Waimea West
Waimea East

28 years
25 years

at St. Michaels Church, Waimea West

72/2361

21 December 1872

Rev. Charles O. Mules

No	51
Date of Notice	21 December 1872
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Price	Elizabeth Eden
	💍 1872/8639
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	28	25
Dwelling Place	Waimea West	Waimea East
Length of Residence	28 years	25 years
Marriage Place	at St. Michaels Church, Waimea West
Folio	72/2361
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 December 1872
Officiating Minister	Rev. Charles O. Mules

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).