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 495

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 June 1880 Registrar Robert Kirton

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

7 April 1880

Jonathan Brough
Annie Taylor

Jonathan Brough
Annie Taylor
💍 1880/1381

Bachelor
Spinster

Gardener
Nil

40
33

Waimea Road Nelson
Washington Valley Nelson

7 years
33 years

At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

80/1009

7 April 1880

Robert Kirton, Registrar

No	13
Date of Notice	7 April 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Jonathan Brough	Annie Taylor
	💍 1880/1381
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Gardener	Nil
Age	40	33
Dwelling Place	Waimea Road Nelson	Washington Valley Nelson
Length of Residence	7 years	33 years
Marriage Place	At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	80/1009
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 April 1880
Officiating Minister	Robert Kirton, Registrar

19 April 1880

Richard Weston Dyson
Mercy Ellen Johnson

Richard Weston Dyson
Mercy Ellen Johnson
💍 1880/1375

Widower
Spinster

Commercial Traveller
Nil

51
27

Panama House Nelson
Collingwood Street Nelson

2 years
20 years

Christ church, Nelson

80/1004

19 April 1880

Rev. Samuel Poole, Church of England

No	14
Date of Notice	19 April 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Weston Dyson	Mercy Ellen Johnson
	💍 1880/1375
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Commercial Traveller	Nil
Age	51	27
Dwelling Place	Panama House Nelson	Collingwood Street Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Christ church, Nelson
Folio	80/1004
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 April 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Samuel Poole, Church of England

21 April 1880

Montague Mardoc Ellis
Mary Livick

Montague Mardoc Ellis
Mary Livick
💍 1880/1392

Bachelor
Spinster

Storekeeper
Nil

34
24

Collingwood Street, Nelson
Milton Street, Nelson

3 days
24 years

Residence of Jonathan Livick, Milton Street, Nelson

80/997

21 April 1880

Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist

No	15
Date of Notice	21 April 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Montague Mardoc Ellis	Mary Livick
	💍 1880/1392
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Storekeeper	Nil
Age	34	24
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street, Nelson	Milton Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	24 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Jonathan Livick, Milton Street, Nelson
Folio	80/997
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 April 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist

21 April 1880

John Lipscombe
Annie Esther Cooper

John Lipscombe
Annie Esther Cooper
💍 1880/1371

Bachelor
Spinster

Malster
Domestic Servant

23
22

Tasman Street Nelson
Tasman Street Nelson

23 years
3 years

Residence of Joseph Day, Bridge Street, Nelson

80/1000

21 April 1880

Rev. John Beckenham, Congregational Independent

No	16
Date of Notice	21 April 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Lipscombe	Annie Esther Cooper
	💍 1880/1371
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Malster	Domestic Servant
Age	23	22
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street Nelson	Tasman Street Nelson
Length of Residence	23 years	3 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Joseph Day, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	80/1000
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 April 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham, Congregational Independent

24 April 1880

Gilbert Hugh Hay Barclay
Louisa Cordellia Jones

Gilbert Hugh Hay-Barclay
Louisa Cordelia Jones
💍 1880/1376

Bachelor
Spinster

Bank Clerk
Nil

25
24

Collingwood Street Nelson
Collingwood Street Nelson

3 days
2 years

Christ church, Nelson

80/1005

24 April 1880

Rev. Charles Oliver Mules, Church of England

No	17
Date of Notice	24 April 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Gilbert Hugh Hay Barclay	Louisa Cordellia Jones
BDM Match (96%)	Gilbert Hugh Hay-Barclay	Louisa Cordelia Jones
	💍 1880/1376
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bank Clerk	Nil
Age	25	24
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street Nelson	Collingwood Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	2 years
Marriage Place	Christ church, Nelson
Folio	80/1005
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 April 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Charles Oliver Mules, Church of England

1 May 1880

John Newton Easdale
Euphemia Clark

John Newton Easdale
Euphemia Clark
💍 1880/493

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner
Nil

27
25

Bridge Street Nelson
Collingwood Street Nelson

1 year
25 years

Residence of Nepham Clark, carter, Collingwood Street, Nelson

80/3061

1 May 1880

Rev. Patrick Calder, Presbyterian Church of N.Z

No	18
Date of Notice	1 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Newton Easdale	Euphemia Clark
	💍 1880/493
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner	Nil
Age	27	25
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Collingwood Street Nelson
Length of Residence	1 year	25 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Nepham Clark, carter, Collingwood Street, Nelson
Folio	80/3061
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder, Presbyterian Church of N.Z

1 May 1880

Joseph Edward Bartlett
Martha Elizabeth Gifford

Joseph Edward Bartlett
Martha Elizabeth Gifford
💍 1880/1384

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Nil

22
22

Appleby Waimea East
Appleby Waimea East

13 years
22 years

St Albans Church, Appleby

80/1072

1 May 1880

Rev. Arthur Henry Sedgwick, Church of England

No	19
Date of Notice	1 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Edward Bartlett	Martha Elizabeth Gifford
	💍 1880/1384
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Nil
Age	22	22
Dwelling Place	Appleby Waimea East	Appleby Waimea East
Length of Residence	13 years	22 years
Marriage Place	St Albans Church, Appleby
Folio	80/1072
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Arthur Henry Sedgwick, Church of England

11 May 1880

William Jellyman
Elizabeth Ann Ching

William Jellyman
Elizabeth Ann Ching
💍 1880/1374

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Nil

24
18

Stoke Suburban South
Stoke Suburban South

6 days
18 years

Residence of Richard Ching, founder, Stoke, Suburban S

80/1003

Richard Ching, Father

11 May 1880

Rev. William Rowse, Wesleyan Methodist

No	20
Date of Notice	11 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Jellyman	Elizabeth Ann Ching
	💍 1880/1374
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Nil
Age	24	18
Dwelling Place	Stoke Suburban South	Stoke Suburban South
Length of Residence	6 days	18 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Richard Ching, founder, Stoke, Suburban S
Folio	80/1003
Consent	Richard Ching, Father
Date of Certificate	11 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Rowse, Wesleyan Methodist

11 May 1880

Edward Edwards
Eliza Jane Jackson

Edward Edwards
Eliza Jane Jackson
💍 1880/1369

Bachelor
Widow

Cab Driver
Nil

30
31

Selwyn Place Nelson
New Street Nelson

3 years
2 years

Residence of Eliza Jane Jackson, New Street, Nelson

80/998

11 May 1880

Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist

No	21
Date of Notice	11 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Edwards	Eliza Jane Jackson
	💍 1880/1369
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Cab Driver	Nil
Age	30	31
Dwelling Place	Selwyn Place Nelson	New Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 years	2 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Eliza Jane Jackson, New Street, Nelson
Folio	80/998
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist

17 May 1880

Henry John Ruffell
Jane Lockyer

Harry John Ruffell
Jane Lockyer
💍 1880/1377

Bachelor
Spinster

Cab Driver
Nil

24
17

Brook Street Nelson
Brook Street Nelson

10 Months
17 years

Christ church, Nelson

80/1006

William Lockyer, Father

17 May 1880

Rev. James Leighton, Church of England

No	22
Date of Notice	17 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry John Ruffell	Jane Lockyer
BDM Match (94%)	Harry John Ruffell	Jane Lockyer
	💍 1880/1377
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Cab Driver	Nil
Age	24	17
Dwelling Place	Brook Street Nelson	Brook Street Nelson
Length of Residence	10 Months	17 years
Marriage Place	Christ church, Nelson
Folio	80/1006
Consent	William Lockyer, Father
Date of Certificate	17 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. James Leighton, Church of England

20 May 1880

James Sclanders
Georgianna Sophia Richmond

James Selanders
Georgeanna Sophia Richmond
💍 1880/1378

Bachelor
Spinster

Merchant
Nil

35
22

Mary Ann Street Nelson
The Cliffs Nelson

16 years
22 years

Christ church, Nelson

80/1007

20 May 1880

Andrew Burn Suter, Bishop of Nelson

No	23
Date of Notice	20 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Sclanders	Georgianna Sophia Richmond
BDM Match (95%)	James Selanders	Georgeanna Sophia Richmond
	💍 1880/1378
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Merchant	Nil
Age	35	22
Dwelling Place	Mary Ann Street Nelson	The Cliffs Nelson
Length of Residence	16 years	22 years
Marriage Place	Christ church, Nelson
Folio	80/1007
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Andrew Burn Suter, Bishop of Nelson

26 May 1880

William Reice
Eva Raine

William Reece
Eva Raine
💍 1880/1380

Bachelor
Spinster

Ironmonger
Nil

23
18

Collingwood Street Nelson
Tasman Street Nelson

3 days
6 years

Christ church, Nelson

80/1008

Thomas Raine, Father

26 May 1880

Rev. James Leighton, Church of England, Bishop of Nelson

No	24
Date of Notice	26 May 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Reice	Eva Raine
BDM Match (96%)	William Reece	Eva Raine
	💍 1880/1380
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Ironmonger	Nil
Age	23	18
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street Nelson	Tasman Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	6 years
Marriage Place	Christ church, Nelson
Folio	80/1008
Consent	Thomas Raine, Father
Date of Certificate	26 May 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. James Leighton, Church of England, Bishop of Nelson

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 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).