Intentions to Marry, 1878

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840390, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Luke at Archives NZ Wellington, March 5 2025

Page 525

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 March 1878 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

8 January 1878

Christian Nilson
Margaret Vosper

Christian Nilson
Margaret Vosper
💍 1878/43

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner
Domestic Servant

38
22

Waimea Street Nelson
Bridge Street Nelson

3 weeks
1 month

At the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

78/381

8 January 1878

The Registrar of Marriages Nelson

No	1
Date of Notice	8 January 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Christian Nilson	Margaret Vosper
	💍 1878/43
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner	Domestic Servant
Age	38	22
Dwelling Place	Waimea Street Nelson	Bridge Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 weeks	1 month
Marriage Place	At the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	78/381
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 January 1878
Officiating Minister	The Registrar of Marriages Nelson

10 January 1878

Henry Herman Elbeck
Elizabeth Ann Coleman

Henry Herman Elbeck
Elizabeth Ann Coleman
💍 1878/47

Bachelor
Spinster

Stationer
Nil

43
20

Nile Street West Nelson
Hope Waimea East

3 days
20 years

At Christ Church, Nelson

78/384

William Coleman, Father

10 January 1878

Rev. James Leighton

No	2
Date of Notice	10 January 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Herman Elbeck	Elizabeth Ann Coleman
	💍 1878/47
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Stationer	Nil
Age	43	20
Dwelling Place	Nile Street West Nelson	Hope Waimea East
Length of Residence	3 days	20 years
Marriage Place	At Christ Church, Nelson
Folio	78/384
Consent	William Coleman, Father
Date of Certificate	10 January 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. James Leighton

19 January 1878

Edward Harold Tribe
Elizabeth Pettigrew Burns

Edward Harold Tribe
Elizabeth Pettigrew Burns
💍 1878/42

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk
Governess

26
24

Ngatitama Street Nelson
Waimea Road Nelson

4 years
24 years

At the residence of David Burns, builder, Waimea Road, Nelson

78/380

19 January 1878

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	3
Date of Notice	19 January 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Harold Tribe	Elizabeth Pettigrew Burns
	💍 1878/42
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk	Governess
Age	26	24
Dwelling Place	Ngatitama Street Nelson	Waimea Road Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	24 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of David Burns, builder, Waimea Road, Nelson
Folio	78/380
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 January 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

21 January 1878

Henry Edward Dane
Hannah Hone

Henry Edward Dane
Hannah Hone
💍 1878/48

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Nil

25
19

Vanguard Street Nelson
Waimea Street Nelson

25 years
3 weeks

At the Congregational Church, Nelson

78/385

Declaration no person in N.Z. having authority

21 January 1878

Rev. John Beckenham

No	4
Date of Notice	21 January 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Edward Dane	Hannah Hone
	💍 1878/48
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Nil
Age	25	19
Dwelling Place	Vanguard Street Nelson	Waimea Street Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	3 weeks
Marriage Place	At the Congregational Church, Nelson
Folio	78/385
Consent	Declaration no person in N.Z. having authority
Date of Certificate	21 January 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham

2 February 1878

James Gribble
Harriet Roberts

James Gribble
Harriet Roberts
💍 1878/3368

Widower
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic Servant

30
26

Bridge Street Nelson
Bridge Street Nelson

1 year
1 year

At the residence of William Henry Roberts stone mason, Bridge Street, Nelson

78/3332

2 February 1878

Rev. George S. Harper

No	5
Date of Notice	2 February 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Gribble	Harriet Roberts
	💍 1878/3368
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic Servant
Age	30	26
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Bridge Street Nelson
Length of Residence	1 year	1 year
Marriage Place	At the residence of William Henry Roberts stone mason, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	78/3332
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 February 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. George S. Harper

4 February 1878

Frederick William Haase
Frances Emily Ruffell

Frederick William Haase
Frances Emily Ruffell
💍 1878/40

Bachelor
Spinster

Cabman

23
20

Waimea Street Nelson
Richmond, Waimea East

18 years
20 years

At the residence of Edward Haase, carpenter, Waimea Street, Nelson

78/378

Harry Ruffell, Father

6 February 1878

Rev. John Beckenham

No	6
Date of Notice	4 February 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick William Haase	Frances Emily Ruffell
	💍 1878/40
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Cabman
Age	23	20
Dwelling Place	Waimea Street Nelson	Richmond, Waimea East
Length of Residence	18 years	20 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Edward Haase, carpenter, Waimea Street, Nelson
Folio	78/378
Consent	Harry Ruffell, Father
Date of Certificate	6 February 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham

5 February 1878

Thomas Collins
Lydia Clutterbuck

Thomas Collins
Lydia Clutterbuck
💍 1878/44

Bachelor
Widow

Mariner
Nurse

45
41

Waimea Street Nelson
Waimea Road Nelson

2 weeks
8 years

At the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

78/382

6 February 1878

Registrar of Marriages Nelson

No	7
Date of Notice	5 February 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Collins	Lydia Clutterbuck
	💍 1878/44
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Mariner	Nurse
Age	45	41
Dwelling Place	Waimea Street Nelson	Waimea Road Nelson
Length of Residence	2 weeks	8 years
Marriage Place	At the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	78/382
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 February 1878
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages Nelson

6 February 1878

William Richardson
Emily Alma Ross

William Richardson
Emily Alma Ross
💍 1878/3314

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher
Domestic Servant

21
21

Van Dieman Street Nelson
Franklin Street Nelson

21 years
21 years

At the Chapel of the Holy Evangelists, Bishopdale, Nelson

78/3351

6 February 1878

The Bishop of Nelson

No	8
Date of Notice	6 February 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Richardson	Emily Alma Ross
	💍 1878/3314
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher	Domestic Servant
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	Van Dieman Street Nelson	Franklin Street Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	21 years
Marriage Place	At the Chapel of the Holy Evangelists, Bishopdale, Nelson
Folio	78/3351
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 February 1878
Officiating Minister	The Bishop of Nelson

7 February 1878

Henry Francis Hodgson
Fannie Infield

Henry Francis Hodgson
Fannie Infield
💍 1878/416

Bachelor
Spinster

Merchant's Clerk
Dressmaker

21
21

Nile Street East Nelson
Tasman Street Nelson

21 years
7 years

At St. Barnabas Church, Stoke, Suburban South

78/389

7 February 1878

Rev. John P. Kempthorne

No	9
Date of Notice	7 February 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Francis Hodgson	Fannie Infield
	💍 1878/416
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Merchant's Clerk	Dressmaker
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	Nile Street East Nelson	Tasman Street Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	7 years
Marriage Place	At St. Barnabas Church, Stoke, Suburban South
Folio	78/389
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 February 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. John P. Kempthorne

23 February 1878

Joseph Bradcock
Jane Crowcher

Joseph Bradcock
Jane Crowcher
💍 1878/49

Bachelor
Spinster

Cab-driver
Nil

22
18

Vanguard Street Nelson
Vanguard Street Nelson

5 weeks
2 years

At the residence of Joseph Bradcock, cab-driver, Vanguard Street, Nelson

78/386

Declaration no person in N.Z. having authority

23 February 1878

Rev. John Beckenham

No	10
Date of Notice	23 February 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Bradcock	Jane Crowcher
	💍 1878/49
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Cab-driver	Nil
Age	22	18
Dwelling Place	Vanguard Street Nelson	Vanguard Street Nelson
Length of Residence	5 weeks	2 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Joseph Bradcock, cab-driver, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	78/386
Consent	Declaration no person in N.Z. having authority
Date of Certificate	23 February 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham

2 March 1878

Frederick John White
Susannah Hill

Frederick John White
Susannah Hill
💍 1878/46

Bachelor
Spinster

Chemist
Domestic Servant

36
22

Haven Road Nelson
Haven Road Nelson

2 months
4 months

At the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

78/383

2 March 1878

Registrar of Marriages Nelson

No	11
Date of Notice	2 March 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick John White	Susannah Hill
	💍 1878/46
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Chemist	Domestic Servant
Age	36	22
Dwelling Place	Haven Road Nelson	Haven Road Nelson
Length of Residence	2 months	4 months
Marriage Place	At the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	78/383
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 March 1878
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages Nelson

5 March 1878

Thomas Sandys Merrick
Mary Elizabeth Scaife

Thomas Sandys Merrick
Mary Elizabeth Scaife
💍 1878/41

Bachelor
Widow

Contractor
Laundress

35
35

Waimea Street Nelson
Parere Street Nelson

18 months
12 years

At the residence of Mary Elizabeth Scaife, Parere Street, Nelson

78/319

5 March 1878

Rev. Patrick Calder

No	12
Date of Notice	5 March 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Sandys Merrick	Mary Elizabeth Scaife
	💍 1878/41
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Contractor	Laundress
Age	35	35
Dwelling Place	Waimea Street Nelson	Parere Street Nelson
Length of Residence	18 months	12 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Mary Elizabeth Scaife, Parere Street, Nelson
Folio	78/319
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 March 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder

15 March 1878

Charles Noble
Susan Elizabeth Burch

Charles Noble
Susan E Birch
💍 1878/50

Widower
Widow

Baker

43
30

Bridge Street Nelson
Brook Street Nelson

5 years
15 years

At the residence of Charles Noble, baker, Bridge Street, Nelson

78/384

15 March 1878

Rev. John Beckenham

No	13
Date of Notice	15 March 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Noble	Susan Elizabeth Burch
BDM Match (79%)	Charles Noble	Susan E Birch
	💍 1878/50
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Baker
Age	43	30
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Brook Street Nelson
Length of Residence	5 years	15 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Charles Noble, baker, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	78/384
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 March 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham

16 March 1878

Alfred Rutland Edwards
Harriett Winnett

Widower
Spinster

Farmer
Housekeeper

33
28

Lower Moutere
Grove Street Nelson

3 years
10 months

At All Saints Church, Nelson

16 March 1878

Rev. Rich. Joshua Thorpe

No	14
Date of Notice	16 March 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Rutland Edwards	Harriett Winnett
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Housekeeper
Age	33	28
Dwelling Place	Lower Moutere	Grove Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 years	10 months
Marriage Place	At All Saints Church, Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate	16 March 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rich. Joshua Thorpe

27 March 1878

Solomon Abrahams
Rebecca Levy

Solomon Abrahams
Rebecca Levy
💍 1878/1151

Bachelor
Spinster

Storekeeper
Nil

28
22

Trafalgar Street Nelson
Nile Street West Nelson

1 week
13 years

At the Jewish Synagogue, Nelson

78/1157

27 March 1878

Rev. David Moss Isaacs

No	15
Date of Notice	27 March 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Solomon Abrahams	Rebecca Levy
	💍 1878/1151
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Storekeeper	Nil
Age	28	22
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar Street Nelson	Nile Street West Nelson
Length of Residence	1 week	13 years
Marriage Place	At the Jewish Synagogue, Nelson
Folio	78/1157
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 March 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. David Moss Isaacs

27 March 1878

Arthur Sowman
Mary Wilks

Arthur Sowman
Mary Wilks
💍 1878/51

Bachelor
Spinster

Shepherd
Domestic Servant

20
19

Tasman Street Nelson
Brook Street Nelson

20 years
19 years

At the residence of Sarah Sowman widow, Tasman Street, Nelson

78/388

Sarah Sowman, mother; George Wilks, Father

27 March 1878

Rev. John Beckenham

No	16
Date of Notice	27 March 1878
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Sowman	Mary Wilks
	💍 1878/51
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Shepherd	Domestic Servant
Age	20	19
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street Nelson	Brook Street Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	19 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Sarah Sowman widow, Tasman Street, Nelson
Folio	78/388
Consent	Sarah Sowman, mother; George Wilks, Father
Date of Certificate	27 March 1878
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham

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

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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 1908. 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).