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 497

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 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

1 July 1880

David Wagg
Julia Crane

David Wagg
Julia Crane
💍 1880/2557

Widower
Spinster

Tailor
Dressmaker

61
55

Richmond Wann
New Cemetery, Nelson

29 years
2 Months

Residence of Wm Hy Berry, New Cemetery, Nelson

80/1933

1 July 1880

Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist Society

No	30
Date of Notice	1 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Wagg	Julia Crane
	💍 1880/2557
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Tailor	Dressmaker
Age	61	55
Dwelling Place	Richmond Wann	New Cemetery, Nelson
Length of Residence	29 years	2 Months
Marriage Place	Residence of Wm Hy Berry, New Cemetery, Nelson
Folio	80/1933
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist Society

8 July 1880

David McRitchie
Jessie Stewart

David McRitchie
Jessie Stewart
💍 1880/2537

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner
Servant

31
21

Steamboat "Lyttelton" of Nelson
Victoria Road, Nelson

3 Months
10 years

Residence of James Stewart shipwright, Victoria Road, Nelson

80/1937

8 July 1880

Rev. John Beckenham, Congregational Independent

No	31
Date of Notice	8 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David McRitchie	Jessie Stewart
	💍 1880/2537
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner	Servant
Age	31	21
Dwelling Place	Steamboat "Lyttelton" of Nelson	Victoria Road, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 Months	10 years
Marriage Place	Residence of James Stewart shipwright, Victoria Road, Nelson
Folio	80/1937
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham, Congregational Independent

9 July 1880

Henry Oliver Percy Belmont
Agnes Steel Porter

Henry Oliver Percy Belmont
Agnes Steel Porter
💍 1880/2553

Bachelor
Spinster

Master Mariner
Nil

25
20

Schooner "Dido" of Nelson
Toi Toi Valley, Nelson

14 Months
2 years

At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

80/1229

No person having authority to give consent

9 July 1880

Robert Kirton, Registrar of Marriages

No	32
Date of Notice	9 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Oliver Percy Belmont	Agnes Steel Porter
	💍 1880/2553
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Master Mariner	Nil
Age	25	20
Dwelling Place	Schooner "Dido" of Nelson	Toi Toi Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	14 Months	2 years
Marriage Place	At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	80/1229
Consent	No person having authority to give consent
Date of Certificate	9 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Robert Kirton, Registrar of Marriages

9 July 1880

William James Dayman
Annie Elizabeth Scott

William James Dayman
Annie Elizabeth Scott
💍 1880/2533

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
Nil

27
21

Russell Street, Nelson
Bridge Street, Nelson

10 years
21 Years

Residence of John Scott builder, Bridge Street, Nelson

80/1925

9 July 1880

Rev. Patrick Calder, Presbyterian Church of NZ

No	33
Date of Notice	9 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William James Dayman	Annie Elizabeth Scott
	💍 1880/2533
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	Nil
Age	27	21
Dwelling Place	Russell Street, Nelson	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	10 years	21 Years
Marriage Place	Residence of John Scott builder, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	80/1925
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick Calder, Presbyterian Church of NZ

19 July 1880

John Scott
Susannah Coltman

John Scott
Susannah Coltman
💍 1880/2534

Widower
Widow

Builder
Nil

47
30

Bridge Street, Nelson
Brook Street, Nelson

23 years
2 years

Residence of John Strong, The Reservoir, Nelson

80/1934

19 July 1880

Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist Society

No	34
Date of Notice	19 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Scott	Susannah Coltman
	💍 1880/2534
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Builder	Nil
Age	47	30
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Brook Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	23 years	2 years
Marriage Place	Residence of John Strong, The Reservoir, Nelson
Folio	80/1934
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Methodist Society

20 July 1880

Edward James Harris
Emily Boucher

Edward James Harris
Sarah Emily Boucher
💍 1880/2554

Bachelor
Spinster

Watchmaker
Nil

20
20

Tasman Street, Nelson
Waimea West, Nelson

20 years
20 Years

At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

Certificate not issued

No	35
Date of Notice	20 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward James Harris	Emily Boucher
BDM Match (84%)	Edward James Harris	Sarah Emily Boucher
	💍 1880/2554
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Watchmaker	Nil
Age	20	20
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Waimea West, Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	20 Years
Marriage Place	At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio
Consent
Date of Certificate
Officiating Minister	Certificate not issued

21 July 1880

Edward James Harris
Sarah Emily Boucher

Edward James Harris
Sarah Emily Boucher
💍 1880/2554

Bachelor
Spinster

Watchmaker
Nil

20
20

Tasman Street, Nelson
Waimea West, Nelson

20 years
20 Years

At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

80/1230

James Henry Harris, father, Caroline McKay, Mother

21 July 1880

Robert Kirton, Registrar of Marriages

No	36
Date of Notice	21 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward James Harris	Sarah Emily Boucher
	💍 1880/2554
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Watchmaker	Nil
Age	20	20
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Waimea West, Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	20 Years
Marriage Place	At the Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	80/1230
Consent	James Henry Harris, father, Caroline McKay, Mother
Date of Certificate	21 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Robert Kirton, Registrar of Marriages

22 July 1880

Richard Large
Januath Arnold

Richard Large
Jannett M Arnold
💍 1880/575

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner
Nil

33
26

Bridge Street, Nelson
Hardy Street, Nelson

14 days
3 days

St Marys Catholic Church, Nelson

80/1916

22 July 1880

Rev. William Mahoney, Roman Catholic Church

No	37
Date of Notice	22 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Large	Januath Arnold
BDM Match (84%)	Richard Large	Jannett M Arnold
	💍 1880/575
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner	Nil
Age	33	26
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Hardy Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	14 days	3 days
Marriage Place	St Marys Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	80/1916
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Mahoney, Roman Catholic Church

26 July 1880

Philip Merritt
Ann Jemima Russell

Philip Merritt
Ann Jemima Russell
💍 1880/2538

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter
Dressmaker

27
20

Tasman Street, Nelson
St Vincent Street, Nelson

21 Years
6 years

Residence of Robert Russell, St Vincent Street, Nelson

80/1938

Robert Russell, father

26 July 1880

Rev. John Beckenham, Congregational Independent

No	38
Date of Notice	26 July 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Philip Merritt	Ann Jemima Russell
	💍 1880/2538
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter	Dressmaker
Age	27	20
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	St Vincent Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	21 Years	6 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Robert Russell, St Vincent Street, Nelson
Folio	80/1938
Consent	Robert Russell, father
Date of Certificate	26 July 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Beckenham, Congregational Independent

2 August 1880

Michael Leahy
Anne Hanrahan

Michael Leahey
Anne Hanrahan
💍 1880/577

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner
Servant

37
25

Bridge Street, Nelson
Bridge Street, Nelson

14 days
9 Months

St Marys Catholic Church, Nelson

80/1918

2 August 1880

Rev. William Mahoney, Roman Catholic Church

No	39
Date of Notice	2 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Michael Leahy	Anne Hanrahan
BDM Match (96%)	Michael Leahey	Anne Hanrahan
	💍 1880/577
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner	Servant
Age	37	25
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	14 days	9 Months
Marriage Place	St Marys Catholic Church, Nelson
Folio	80/1918
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. William Mahoney, Roman Catholic Church

17 August 1880

James Henry Boundy
Elizabeth Anne Cross

James Henry Boundy
Elizabeth Anne Cross
💍 1880/2535

Bachelor
Spinster

Printer
Nil

23
23

Shelbourne Street, Nelson
Mary Ann Street, Nelson

3 days
23 years

At the residence of Capt. J.D. Cross, harbour master, Nelson

80/1935

17 August 1880

Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Minister

No	40
Date of Notice	17 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Henry Boundy	Elizabeth Anne Cross
	💍 1880/2535
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Printer	Nil
Age	23	23
Dwelling Place	Shelbourne Street, Nelson	Mary Ann Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	23 years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Capt. J.D. Cross, harbour master, Nelson
Folio	80/1935
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. Rainsford Bavin, Wesleyan Minister

17 August 1880

Arthur Nicholas Batchelor
Ellen Smith Cross

Arthur Nicholas Batchelor
Ellen Smith Cross
💍 1880/580

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant
Nil

22
20

Waimea Street, Nelson
Mary Ann Street, Nelson

22 years
20 Years

At the residence of Capt. J.D. Cross, harbour master, Nelson

80/1920

James Smith Cross, Father

17 August 1880

Rev. James Leighton, Church of England Minister

No	41
Date of Notice	17 August 1880
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Nicholas Batchelor	Ellen Smith Cross
	💍 1880/580
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant	Nil
Age	22	20
Dwelling Place	Waimea Street, Nelson	Mary Ann Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	22 years	20 Years
Marriage Place	At the residence of Capt. J.D. Cross, harbour master, Nelson
Folio	80/1920
Consent	James Smith Cross, Father
Date of Certificate	17 August 1880
Officiating Minister	Rev. James Leighton, Church of England Minister

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).