Intentions to Marry, 1889

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840401, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Carole at Archives NZ Wellington, May 23 2025

No	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
77	2 October 1889	Patrick Conway Margaret Hamilton	Patrick Conway Margaret Hamilton 💍 1889/3511	Bachelor Spinster	Farmer	33 27	Invercargill Invercargill	3 days 10 years	Roman Catholic Church	89/3586		2 October 1889	Rev Eu Walsh
78	2 October 1889	Samuel Thomas Jessie Moore	Samuel Thomas Ruth Rose Clarke 💍 1889/2593	Bachelor Spinster	Printer	23 23	Invercargill Riverton	25 years 16 years	House of Geo. J. Ashore	89/3521		2 October 1889	Rev Thos Greave
79	4 October 1889	Joseph Lee Sarah Styles	Joseph Lee Sarah Styles 💍 1889/3433	Bachelor Spinster	Blacksmith	34 19	Invercargill Invercargill	3 days 3 days	Office of the Registrar	89/3508	Alfred Styles, father	4 October 1889	J. W. Wilkin Registrar
80	4 October 1889	Alexander Cathcart Isabella Sproull	Alexander Catto Milne Isabella Sproull 💍 1889/3447	Bachelor Spinster	Farmer	36 23	Invercargill Invercargill	1 week 1 month	Church of England Tay St.	89/3498		4 October 1889	Ven Archdeacon Stocker
81	18 October 1889	Henry Thomas Shaw Mary Jane Thomas	Henry Thomas Shave Mary Jane Thomas 💍 1889/3442	Bachelor Spinster	Bushman	25 20	Woodend Woodend	4 years 12 years	House of Mr Daniel Thomas	89/3493	Daniel Thomas, father	18 October 1889	Rev A. H. Stobo
82	19 October 1889	James William Hudson Mary Adelaide Woodworth	James William Nicolson Mary Adelaide Woodworth 💍 1889/3444	Bachelor Spinster	Lighthouse keeper	31 22	Invercargill Invercargill	4 days 14 years	House of Mr Peter Woodworth	89/3495		19 October 1889	Rev James Guy
83	19 October 1889	Robert Young Hughes Sarah Jane King	Robert Young Hughes Sarah Jane King 💍 1889/3434	Bachelor Widow	Laborer	41 43	Invercargill Invercargill	6 years 7 years	Office of the Registrar	89/3509		19 October 1889	J. W. Wilkin Registrar

No	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
92	30 November 1889	Harry King Mary Ann Walsh	Harry King Mary Ann Watts 💍 1889/3437	Bachelor Spinster	Laborer	24 18	Waimahaka West Plains	3 months 10 years	Office of the Registrar	89/3511	James Walsh, father	30 November 1889	J. W. Wilkin, Registrar
93	30 November 1889	James Johnston Ellen Grant	James Johnston Ellen Grant Macdonell 💍 1889/3430	Bachelor Spinster	Presbyterian Minister	36 27	Invercargill Invercargill	3 days 3 days	Home of Rev Geo Lindsay	89/3505		30 November 1889	Rev Geo Lindsay
94	14 December 1889	William Burnham Goldsby Elizabeth Walker	William Burnham Goldsby Elizabeth Walker 💍 1889/3443	Bachelor Widow	Blacksmith	33 31	Otarara Bush North Invercargill	5 months 3 weeks	House of Mrs Walker, Leith Street, North Invercargill	89/3494		14 December 1889	Rev A. H. Stobo
95	14 December 1889	Joseph Sweeney Ann Hagar		Bachelor Spinster	Accountant	24 28	Invercargill Invercargill	2 years 2 months	House of Mr H. Small, Jedburgh	89/3503		14 December 1889	Rev G. W. Leith
96	14 December 1889	Andrew Healop Mary Louisa Walsh	Andrew Hislop Mary Louisa Walsh 💍 1889/3414	Bachelor Spinster	Clerk	21 22	Invercargill Invercargill	4 years 5 years	House of Rev John Ferguson	89/3488		14 December 1889	Rev John Ferguson
97	14 December 1889	Thomas Hudson Aitken Beatrice Hart	Thomas Hudson Aitken Emily Beatrice Hart 💍 1889/3431	Bachelor Spinster	Moulder	22 24	Invercargill Avenal	12 years 19 years	Presbyterian Church, Otautau, Strathairn	89/3506		14 December 1889	Rev Thos H. Lyons
98	14 December 1889	Thomas Aitken Isabella Horton	Thomas Aitken Isabella Morton 💍 1889/3429	Bachelor Spinster	Laborer	24 26	Otauramika Gorge Invercargill	3 days 14 years	House of Mrs Horton	89/3504		14 December 1889	Rev Hugh Kelly
99	19 December 1889	Percy Harper Cox Jessie McCulloch	Percy Harper Cox Jessie McCulloch 💍 1889/3426	Bachelor Spinster	Bank Accountant	25 21	Invercargill Invercargill	3 days 21 years	English Church, Tay Street	89/3501		19 December 1889	Ven Archdeacon Stocker

No	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
100	18 December 1889	John Munckton Letitia Reason	John Ulrich Wurster Letitia Mason 💍 1889/3445	Bachelor Spinster	Draughtsman	23 21	East Invercargill Invercargill	23 years 14 years	House of Rev. Jas. Guy	89/3496		18 December 1889	Rev. Jas. Guy
101	18 December 1889	Alexander Simpson Jane Mathilda Day	Alexander Simpson Jane Matilda Day 💍 1889/3424	Bachelor Spinster	Laborer	24 23	Invercargill Invercargill	27 years 2 years	House of Rev. John Ferguson	89/3491		18 December 1889	Rev. John Ferguson
102	23 December 1889	Joseph Rodrigues Elizabeth Hart	Joseph Roderigues Elizabeth Hart 💍 1889/3438	Widower Spinster	Mariner	35 24	Invercargill Invercargill	4 days 4 days	Office of the Registrar	89/3512		23 December 1889	J. L. Bush, Deputy Registrar
103	24 December 1889	Nathan Wood Emma Roff	Nathan Wood Emma Roff 💍 1889/3415	Bachelor Spinster	Plumber	22 19	Hawthorn Clifton	8 years 12 years	House of Rev. John Ferguson	89/3489	Thos. Roff, Father	24 December 1889	Rev. John Ferguson
104	24 December 1889	Robert Easton Sarah Rice	Robert McMillan Sarah Rice 💍 1889/3435	Bachelor Spinster	Blacksmith	21 20	Invercargill Invercargill	8 days 9 days	House of Rev. John Ferguson	89/3492	Hugh Rice, Father	24 December 1889	Rev. John Ferguson
105	24 December 1889	James William Hamilton Mary Crawford	James William Hamilton Mary Crawford 💍 1889/3416	Widower Spinster	Farmer	50 45	Thornbury Invercargill	25 years 6 days	House of Rev. Hugh Luair	89/3490	Rupert Lyle, Thornbury	24 December 1889	Rev. John Ferguson
106	27 December 1889	William John Bromley Annie Copley	William John Bromley Annie Copley 💍 1889/3439	Bachelor Spinster	Shepherd	37 21	Invercargill Invercargill	3 days 3 days	Office of the Registrar	89/3513		27 December 1889	J. L. Bush, Deputy Registrar
107	24 December 1889	Joseph Armitage Mills Margareta Ann Hawke	Joseph Armitage Mills Margaret Ann Hawke 💍 1890/3606	Bachelor Spinster	Platelayer	30 20	Invercargill Invercargill	3 days 16 years	House of Rev. Wm. Hawke	89/3798	William Hawke, Father	27 December 1889	Rev. H. W. Isitt

No	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
108	30 December 1889	John Johnstone Rosa Ann Crawford	John Johnstone Rose Ann Crawford 💍 1890/673	Widower Spinster	Boiler maker	45 32	Invercargill Invercargill	6 days 10 years		89/1998		30 December 1889	Revd James Guy

No	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
259	5 October 1889	Samuel Thomson Jessie More	Samuel Thomson Jessie More 💍 1889/3495	bachelor Spinster	Printer	23 yrs 16 years	Invercargill Riverton	23 yrs 16 years	house of Samuel Howison, Invercargill & house of Jessie More, Riverton	89/3521		5 October 1889	Rev. Thos. Heave (Presbyterian)
260	12 October 1889	William Fisher Sarah Doal	William Fisher Sarah Beal 💍 1889/3496	bachelor Spinster	Laborer	27 yrs 18 years	Waikapakapa Waikapakapa	27 yrs 18 years	Registrar of Marriages office, Riverton	89/3522	Victoria Doal, mother of Sarah Doal	12 October 1889	The Registrar at Riverton
261	17 October 1889	Reuben Henry Maria Guttery	Reuben Henry Maria Guttery 💍 1889/3485	bachelor Spinster	Laborer	32 yrs 31 yrs	Hairio Hairio	6 yrs 7 yrs	house of William Guttery, Hairio	89/3517		17 October 1889	Rev. S.B. Fellow (Wesleyan)
262	21 October 1889	Robert McLachlan Flora Livingstone McLachlan	Robert Blackley Flora Livingstone McLachlan 💍 1889/3474	bachelor Spinster	Shepherd	26 yrs 27 yrs	Otautau Otautau	5 days 7 weeks	house of Colin McLachlan near Otautau	89/3516		21 October 1889	Rev. Robert Ewan (Presbyterian)
263	22 October 1889	Henry Lloyd Elizabeth Julious	John Lloyd Elizabeth Jenkins 💍 1889/3492	bachelor Spinster	Fellmonger Manager	35 yrs 30 yrs	Riverton Riverton	8 yrs 3 days	Hotel, South Riverton	89/3518		22 October 1889	Rev. S.B. Fellow (Wesleyan)
264	13 November 1889	Joseph Michael Clara Miller	Joseph Micheal Spooner Clara Miller 💍 1889/3493	bachelor Spinster	Contractor	25 yrs 22 yrs	Hairio Hairio	5 yrs 6 weeks	house of Joseph Spooner	89/3519		13 November 1889	Rev. S.B. Fellow (Wesleyan)
265	4 December 1889	Alexander Andrew Wright Mary Alexander	Andrew Wright Railton Mary Alexander 💍 1889/3497	Widower Spinster	Rate Layer Domestic Servant	33 yrs 37 yrs	Otautau Otautau	8 yrs 9 months	Registrar of Marriages office, Riverton	89/3523		4 December 1889	The Registrar at Riverton

No	Date of Notice	Names and Surnames of Parties	BDM Match	Condition	Calling or Profession	Age	Dwelling Place	Length of Residence	Marriage Place	Folio	Date of Certificate	Officiating Minister
266	21 December 1889	Donald McLeod Jane Roughan Rogers	Donald McLeod Jane Kinghorn Rogers 💍 1889/3440	bachelor Spinster	Engine Driver	25 26	Colac Riverton	5 Months 2 yrs	house of George Rogers, Highland	89/3574	21 December 1889	Revd Thos Heave, Presbyterian
267	23 December 1889	Charles Wallace Mary Crawford	James William Hamilton Mary Crawford 💍 1889/3416	widower Spinster	Farmer	50 45	Thornbury Invercargill	25 yrs 5 days	house of Hugh Hair, Liddle St Invercargill	89/3490	23 December 1889	Revd John Ferguson, Presbyterian
268	28 December 1889	Edgar Bea Alice Poole		bachelor Spinster	Carpenter	27 21	Riverton Riverton	26 yrs 1 yr	house of W. McAlister, Poole, Limestone Plains	89/3520	28 December 1889	Revd S. B. Fellowes (Wesleyan)
269	30 December 1889	Augustus Hood Anne Hurst		bachelor Spinster	Farmer	25 26	Invercargill Orepuki	5 days 20 yrs	St Johns Church, Invercargill / Church of England, Invercargill	89/3502	30 December 1889	Ven Archd Stocker, Ch of England

No	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
55	3 December 1889	James Drissa Sparrow Esther Boyer	James Orrissa Sparrow Esther Boyer 💍 1889/3628	Bachelor Spinster	Farmer	25 21	Oreti Plains Oreti Plains	11 years House of W. J. O. Sparrow 3 days		89/3524			Rev. James Baird Presbyterian Winton

No	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
36	5 November 1889	James Savage Elizabeth Scott	James Savage Elizabeth Scott 💍 1889/3498 James Stewart Christina Elizabeth Scott 💍 1889/2529	Batchelor Spinster	Labourer	29 years 19	Castle Rock Castle Rock	5 years Residence of 19 years Brides Parents		89/3525	Father	9 November 1889	Rev. James Blackie Presbyterian
37	6 November 1889	John Henry Herman Gerken Mary Ann Grey Bayer	John Henry Herman Gerken Mary Ann Gregg Bryce 💍 1889/3475	Batchelor Spinster	Farmer	28 years 22 years	Balfour Dipton	7 years Residence of Brides Mother 4 years		89/3526		6 November 1889	Rev. James Blackie Presbyterian

Page 1543

District of Campbelltown Quarter ending 31 December 1889

No	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
4	14 December 1889	Arthur Edward Batchelor Amelia Green		Batchelor Spinster	Engineer	28 years 18 years	Bluff Bluff	3 days 13 years	Primitive Methodist Church, Bluff	89/3527	Isso. father	14 December 1889	Rev John Olphert
5	24 December 1889	Andrew Newton Batchelor Elizabeth Jane Jenkins	Andrew Newton Elizabeth Jane Jenkins 💍 1889/3477	Batchelor Spinster	Laborer	29 years 18 years	Greenhills Greenhills	3 days 14 days	Primitive Methodist Church, Greenhills	89/3528	William Jenkins father	24 December 1889	Rev John Olphert
6	30 December 1889	James Walker Batchelor Agnes Smith	James Walker Agnes Smith 💍 1890/612	Batchelor Spinster	Carpenter	25 years 26 years	Bluff Bluff	4 days 12 years	Primitive Methodist Church, Bluff	90/814		30 December 1889	Rev John Olphert

Show Page Image

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 1894. More registers will be added as the project continues.

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).

NZ Intentions to Marry Project

Intentions to Marry, 1889

Page 1532

Page 1533

Page 1534

Page 1535

Page 1537

Page 1538

Page 1539

Page 1541

Page 1543