Intentions to Marry, 1897 July-December

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840412, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Carole at Archives NZ Wellington, June 25 2025

1897 is bound in two volumes, January-June and July-December.

Page 343

District of Timaru Quarter ending 30 September 1897 Registrar Alexander Montgomery

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

5 July 1897

James Burns
Maggie Wrighton

James Burns
Maggie Wrightson
💍 1897/2148

Bachelor
Spinster

Laborer
Domestic Servant

22 years
23 years

Timaru
Timaru

20 years
3 days

Registrar's Office, Timaru

97/3343

5 July 1897

Alexander Montgomery, Registrar

No	53
Date of Notice	5 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Burns	Maggie Wrighton
BDM Match (97%)	James Burns	Maggie Wrightson
	💍 1897/2148
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Laborer	Domestic Servant
Age	22 years	23 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	20 years	3 days
Marriage Place	Registrar's Office, Timaru
Folio	97/3343
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Alexander Montgomery, Registrar

7 July 1897

Harold Rawborn
Vera Kenneth Packman

Harold Raustorn
Dora Kenneth Packman
💍 1897/2121

Bachelor
Spinster

Coachsmith
Dressmaker

28 years
26 years

Timaru
Timaru

28 years
20 years

Dwelling house of Rev. P. H. Jones, Timaru

97/3334

7 July 1897

Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

No	54
Date of Notice	7 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harold Rawborn	Vera Kenneth Packman
BDM Match (85%)	Harold Raustorn	Dora Kenneth Packman
	💍 1897/2121
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Coachsmith	Dressmaker
Age	28 years	26 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	28 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of Rev. P. H. Jones, Timaru
Folio	97/3334
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

14 July 1897

Nathaniel Parker
Martha Matilda Halford

Nathaniel Parker
Martha Matilda Halford
💍 1897/2150

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher

21 years
22 years

Timaru
Timaru

9 years
4 years

Dwelling house of the Bridegroom, Bank St. Timaru

97/3344

14 July 1897

Rev. Chas. E. Beecroft, Wesleyan Minister

No	55
Date of Notice	14 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Nathaniel Parker	Martha Matilda Halford
	💍 1897/2150
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher
Age	21 years	22 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	9 years	4 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of the Bridegroom, Bank St. Timaru
Folio	97/3344
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. Chas. E. Beecroft, Wesleyan Minister

14 July 1897

James Crosbie
Lily Jane Tomlinson

James Crosbie
Lily Jane Tomlinson
💍 1897/2120

Bachelor
Spinster

Wool Finisher

18 years
22 years

Timaru
Timaru

4 1/2 years
22 years

Dwelling house of Mrs. Tomlinson, Rose St. Timaru

97/3338

James Crosbie, Father

14 July 1897

Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

No	56
Date of Notice	14 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Crosbie	Lily Jane Tomlinson
	💍 1897/2120
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Wool Finisher
Age	18 years	22 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	4 1/2 years	22 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of Mrs. Tomlinson, Rose St. Timaru
Folio	97/3338
Consent	James Crosbie, Father
Date of Certificate	14 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

15 July 1897

Thomas Cox
Catherine Fitzroy

Thomas Cox
Catharine McCoy
💍 1897/2381

Widower
Spinster

Sewing Machine Agent
Domestic Servant

41 years
36 years

Timaru
Timaru

4 years
4 years

Catholic Priory, Timaru

97/3339

15 July 1897

Rev. F. J. Lewis, Roman Catholic Priest

No	57
Date of Notice	15 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Cox	Catherine Fitzroy
BDM Match (82%)	Thomas Cox	Catharine McCoy
	💍 1897/2381
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Sewing Machine Agent	Domestic Servant
Age	41 years	36 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	4 years	4 years
Marriage Place	Catholic Priory, Timaru
Folio	97/3339
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. F. J. Lewis, Roman Catholic Priest

17 July 1897

James Pehine
Bessie Condone Wall

James Petrie
Elizabeth Constance Wall
💍 1897/2123

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Tailoress

37 years
23 years

Timaru
Timaru

4 years
22 years

Dwelling house of Rev. P. H. Jones, Timaru

97/3339

17 July 1897

Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

No	58
Date of Notice	17 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Pehine	Bessie Condone Wall
BDM Match (63%)	James Petrie	Elizabeth Constance Wall
	💍 1897/2123
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Tailoress
Age	37 years	23 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	4 years	22 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of Rev. P. H. Jones, Timaru
Folio	97/3339
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

22 July 1897

David Laird Hunt
Agnes Jane Fitzsimmons

David Caird
Agnes Jane Fitzsimmons
💍 1897/2117

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic Servant

25 years
20 years

Pareora
Timaru

25 years
20 years

Dwelling house of Rev. Wm. Selbie, Timaru

97/3335

Jarrett Fitzsimons, Father

22 July 1897

Rev. Wm. Selbie, Presbyterian Minister

No	59
Date of Notice	22 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Laird Hunt	Agnes Jane Fitzsimmons
BDM Match (81%)	David Caird	Agnes Jane Fitzsimmons
	💍 1897/2117
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic Servant
Age	25 years	20 years
Dwelling Place	Pareora	Timaru
Length of Residence	25 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of Rev. Wm. Selbie, Timaru
Folio	97/3335
Consent	Jarrett Fitzsimons, Father
Date of Certificate	22 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. Wm. Selbie, Presbyterian Minister

27 July 1897

Adam Sibson
Lucy Jane Rose Hocking

Adam Gibson
Lucy Jane Rowe Hosking
💍 1897/2131

Bachelor
Spinster

Engine Driver

27 years
19 years

Lynch Plains
Timaru

27 years
18 years

Dwelling house of Rev. P. H. Jones, Timaru

97/3340

William Hocking, Father

27 July 1897

Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

No	60
Date of Notice	27 July 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Adam Sibson	Lucy Jane Rose Hocking
BDM Match (91%)	Adam Gibson	Lucy Jane Rowe Hosking
	💍 1897/2131
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engine Driver
Age	27 years	19 years
Dwelling Place	Lynch Plains	Timaru
Length of Residence	27 years	18 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of Rev. P. H. Jones, Timaru
Folio	97/3340
Consent	William Hocking, Father
Date of Certificate	27 July 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. P. H. Jones, Primitive Methodist Minister

2 August 1897

Arthur Edward Taylor
Charlotte Jane Daws

Arthur Edward Taylor
Charlotte Jane Dawe
💍 1897/2114

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith

24 years
24 years

Washdyke
Washdyke

3 days
24 years

Residence of P. Daws, Washdyke

97/3332

2 August 1897

Rev. Thomas Farley, Church of England Clergyman

No	61
Date of Notice	2 August 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Edward Taylor	Charlotte Jane Daws
BDM Match (97%)	Arthur Edward Taylor	Charlotte Jane Dawe
	💍 1897/2114
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith
Age	24 years	24 years
Dwelling Place	Washdyke	Washdyke
Length of Residence	3 days	24 years
Marriage Place	Residence of P. Daws, Washdyke
Folio	97/3332
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 August 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. Thomas Farley, Church of England Clergyman

3 August 1897

George Robbins Smith
Ellen Ward

George Robbins
Ellen Ward
💍 1897/2151

Widower
Widow

Farmer
Milkwoman

60 years
38 years

Timaru
Timaru

3 days
5 years

Dwelling house of Bride, Russell St., Timaru

97/3345

3 August 1897

Rev. Chas. E. Beecroft, Wesleyan Minister

No	62
Date of Notice	3 August 1897
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Robbins Smith	Ellen Ward
BDM Match (85%)	George Robbins	Ellen Ward
	💍 1897/2151
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Farmer	Milkwoman
Age	60 years	38 years
Dwelling Place	Timaru	Timaru
Length of Residence	3 days	5 years
Marriage Place	Dwelling house of Bride, Russell St., Timaru
Folio	97/3345
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 August 1897
Officiating Minister	Rev. Chas. E. Beecroft, Wesleyan Minister

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 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).