Intentions to Marry, 1880

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840392, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Page 315

District of Wanganui Quarter ending Jul - Sep

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 1880

William Middleton
Lizzie Campbell

William Middelton
Lizzie Campbell
💍 1880/2289

William Mill
Bethia Campbell
💍 1880/602

Bachelor
Spinster

Bootmaker

29
19

Wanganui
do

12 yrs.
do

In the Church of England, Wanganui

821/1708

Ellen Campbell, Mother

2 July 1880

Rev. T. L. Tudor

No	36
Date of Notice	2 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Middleton	Lizzie Campbell
BDM Match (94%)	William Middelton	Lizzie Campbell
	💍 1880/2289
BDM Match (66%)	William Mill	Bethia Campbell
	💍 1880/602
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bootmaker
Age	29	19
Dwelling Place	Wanganui	do
Length of Residence	12 yrs.	do
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Wanganui
Folio	821/1708
Consent	Ellen Campbell, Mother
Date of Certificate	2 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. T. L. Tudor

5 July 1880

Henry William Grough
Mary Webb

Henry Whitson Gouger
Mary Webb
💍 1880/2288

William Guy
Sarah Webb
💍 1880/476

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk

39
26

Wanganui
Wanganui

15 yrs.
6 yrs.

In the Church of England Wanganui

820/1709

5 July 1880

Rev. T. R. Tudor

No	37
Date of Notice	5 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry William Grough	Mary Webb
BDM Match (78%)	Henry Whitson Gouger	Mary Webb
	💍 1880/2288
BDM Match (60%)	William Guy	Sarah Webb
	💍 1880/476
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk
Age	39	26
Dwelling Place	Wanganui	Wanganui
Length of Residence	15 yrs.	6 yrs.
Marriage Place	In the Church of England Wanganui
Folio	820/1709
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. T. R. Tudor

6 July 1880

Jeremiah Finnity
Johanna Trant

Jeremiah Finnity
Johanna Grant
💍 1880/2284

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

25
22

Wanganui
Wanganui

3 months
3 Weeks

In the Office of the Registrar of Marriages Wanganui

820/1703

6 July 1880

S. W. Woon, Registrar of Marriages, Wanganui

No	38
Date of Notice	6 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Jeremiah Finnity	Johanna Trant
BDM Match (96%)	Jeremiah Finnity	Johanna Grant
	💍 1880/2284
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	25	22
Dwelling Place	Wanganui	Wanganui
Length of Residence	3 months	3 Weeks
Marriage Place	In the Office of the Registrar of Marriages Wanganui
Folio	820/1703
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 July 1880
Officiating Minister	S. W. Woon, Registrar of Marriages, Wanganui

28 July 1880

John William Horton
Catherine Wallace

John William Hoskin
Catharine Wallace
💍 1880/2306

William Taylor
Catherine Wallace
💍 1880/301

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

28
18

Tutaenui
Wallacetown

4 yrs.
10 yrs.

At the Residence of Mr J. Finn Tutaenui

821/1698

28 July 1880

Rev. James Treadwell, Presbyterian

No	39
Date of Notice	28 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John William Horton	Catherine Wallace
BDM Match (89%)	John William Hoskin	Catharine Wallace
	💍 1880/2306
BDM Match (74%)	William Taylor	Catherine Wallace
	💍 1880/301
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	28	18
Dwelling Place	Tutaenui	Wallacetown
Length of Residence	4 yrs.	10 yrs.
Marriage Place	At the Residence of Mr J. Finn Tutaenui
Folio	821/1698
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. James Treadwell, Presbyterian

28 July 1880

James Robinson
Edith M. A. Bartleet

James Robinson
Edith Bond Parkinson
💍 1880/2302

Bachelor
Spinster

Iron Moulder

24
17

Wanganui
do

2 yrs.
5 yrs.

At the Residence of J. B. Atkinson Esqr. Wanganui

820/1699

28 July 1880

Rev. Wm Bee, Wesleyan

No	40
Date of Notice	28 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Robinson	Edith M. A. Bartleet
BDM Match (70%)	James Robinson	Edith Bond Parkinson
	💍 1880/2302
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Iron Moulder
Age	24	17
Dwelling Place	Wanganui	do
Length of Residence	2 yrs.	5 yrs.
Marriage Place	At the Residence of J. B. Atkinson Esqr. Wanganui
Folio	820/1699
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Wm Bee, Wesleyan

5 August 1880

Andrew Tod
Matilda Ann McLean

Andrew Tod
Matilda Julia Dickens
💍 1880/2266

Bachelor
Widow

Merchant

43
39

do
do

21 yrs.
3 yrs.

At the Residence of John Nixon Esqr., Wanganui.

821/1700

5 August 1880

Rev. T. R. Tudor, Church of England

No	41
Date of Notice	5 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Andrew Tod	Matilda Ann McLean
BDM Match (76%)	Andrew Tod	Matilda Julia Dickens
	💍 1880/2266
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Merchant
Age	43	39
Dwelling Place	do	do
Length of Residence	21 yrs.	3 yrs.
Marriage Place	At the Residence of John Nixon Esqr., Wanganui.
Folio	821/1700
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. T. R. Tudor, Church of England

11 August 1880

William John Little
Mary Jane Willson

William John Little
Mary Jane Willows
💍 1880/2285

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith

27
20

do
do

6 yrs.
2 yrs.

In the Registrar's Office Wanganui

821/1701

11 August 1880

S. W. Wood, Registrar of Marriages

No	42
Date of Notice	11 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William John Little	Mary Jane Willson
BDM Match (91%)	William John Little	Mary Jane Willows
	💍 1880/2285
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith
Age	27	20
Dwelling Place	do	do
Length of Residence	6 yrs.	2 yrs.
Marriage Place	In the Registrar's Office Wanganui
Folio	821/1701
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 August 1880
Officiating Minister	S. W. Wood, Registrar of Marriages

11 August 1880

Frederick Hy. Wood
Sarah Annie V. West

Frederick Henry Wood
Sarah Annie Victoria West
💍 1880/2307

Widower
Spinster

Auctioneer

30
23

Wanganui
Wanganui

6 yrs.
2 yrs.

At the Residence of Mrs Cameron Wanganui

821/1699

11 August 1880

Rev. James Treadwell, Presbyterian

No	43
Date of Notice	11 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick Hy. Wood	Sarah Annie V. West
BDM Match (76%)	Frederick Henry Wood	Sarah Annie Victoria West
	💍 1880/2307
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Auctioneer
Age	30	23
Dwelling Place	Wanganui	Wanganui
Length of Residence	6 yrs.	2 yrs.
Marriage Place	At the Residence of Mrs Cameron Wanganui
Folio	821/1699
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. James Treadwell, Presbyterian

12 August 1880

Walter Wadey
Harriett Davidson

Walter Wadey
Harriet Davidson
💍 1880/2303

Bachelor
Widow

Carpenter

24
29

Wanganui
Wanganui

5 days
5 yrs

In the Residence of Mr Mathieson Street, Wanganui

821/1695

12 August 1880

Rev. Wm. Lee, Wesleyan

No	44
Date of Notice	12 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Walter Wadey	Harriett Davidson
BDM Match (97%)	Walter Wadey	Harriet Davidson
	💍 1880/2303
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Carpenter
Age	24	29
Dwelling Place	Wanganui	Wanganui
Length of Residence	5 days	5 yrs
Marriage Place	In the Residence of Mr Mathieson Street, Wanganui
Folio	821/1695
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Wm. Lee, Wesleyan

28 August 1880

John Brunnen
Sarah Mary Melody

John Brennan
Sarah Mary Melody
💍 1880/2287

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher

26
21

do
do

2 yrs.
12 yrs.

Church Wanganui

821/1706

28 August 1880

Rev. C. H. Kirk, Roman Catholic

No	45
Date of Notice	28 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Brunnen	Sarah Mary Melody
BDM Match (92%)	John Brennan	Sarah Mary Melody
	💍 1880/2287
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher
Age	26	21
Dwelling Place	do	do
Length of Residence	2 yrs.	12 yrs.
Marriage Place	Church Wanganui
Folio	821/1706
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. H. Kirk, Roman Catholic

30 August 1880

James Adamson
Eliza King

James Adamson
Eliza Oliver
💍 1880/2304

Bachelor
Spinster

Engineer

22
21

do
do

22 yrs.
12 yrs.

At the Residence of Mr Kingston Wanganui

821/1707

30 August 1880

Rev. Wm Bee, Wesleyan

No	46
Date of Notice	30 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Adamson	Eliza King
BDM Match (79%)	James Adamson	Eliza Oliver
	💍 1880/2304
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engineer
Age	22	21
Dwelling Place	do	do
Length of Residence	22 yrs.	12 yrs.
Marriage Place	At the Residence of Mr Kingston Wanganui
Folio	821/1707
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Wm Bee, Wesleyan

15 September 1880

John McEw
Ann McLean

John McIvor
Ann McLean
💍 1880/2286

Bachelor
Spinster

Constable

36
20

do
do

5 yrs.
2 yrs.

In the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Wanganui

821/1708

15 September 1880

S. W. Wood, Registrar of Marriages

No	47
Date of Notice	15 September 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John McEw	Ann McLean
BDM Match (82%)	John McIvor	Ann McLean
	💍 1880/2286
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Constable
Age	36	20
Dwelling Place	do	do
Length of Residence	5 yrs.	2 yrs.
Marriage Place	In the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Wanganui
Folio	821/1708
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 September 1880
Officiating Minister	S. W. Wood, Registrar of Marriages

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).