Intentions to Marry, 1899 July-December

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840416, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Carole at Archives NZ Wellington (now located in the National Library reading room), September 5 2025

1899 is bound in two volumes, January-June and July-December.

Page 813

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 December 1899 Registrar Hugh Calders

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 October 1899

Noble Coleman
Louisa Smith

Noble Coleman
Louisa Smith
💍 1899/4906

Robert Brain
Louise Smith
💍 1899/5040

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher
Domestic Servant

38
24

Hope, N.Z.
Hope, N.Z.

30 years
3 months

Office of Registrar, Nelson

99/4667

4 October 1899

Hugh Calders, Registrar

No	41
Date of Notice	4 October 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Noble Coleman	Louisa Smith
	💍 1899/4906
BDM Match (61%)	Robert Brain	Louise Smith
	💍 1899/5040
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher	Domestic Servant
Age	38	24
Dwelling Place	Hope, N.Z.	Hope, N.Z.
Length of Residence	30 years	3 months
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar, Nelson
Folio	99/4667
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 October 1899
Officiating Minister	Hugh Calders, Registrar

17 October 1899

Arthur Bird
Florence Marion McDonald

Arthur Bird
Florence Marion McDonald
💍 1899/4936

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk
Domestic duties

21
21

Trafalgar St., Nelson
Waimea St., Nelson

21 years
8 years

Residence of Arthur Bird, Hardy St., Nelson

99/4676

19 October 1899

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	42
Date of Notice	17 October 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Bird	Florence Marion McDonald
	💍 1899/4936
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk	Domestic duties
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar St., Nelson	Waimea St., Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	8 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Arthur Bird, Hardy St., Nelson
Folio	99/4676
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 October 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

18 October 1899

Percy James Best
Mary Louisa Schwass

Percy James Best
Mary Louisa Schwass
💍 1899/4914

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

22
20

Wakapuaka
Hope, N.Z.

3 weeks
2 years

Office of Registrar, Nelson

99/4668

Christian Frederick Schwass, Father

18 October 1899

Hugh Calders, Registrar

No	43
Date of Notice	18 October 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Percy James Best	Mary Louisa Schwass
	💍 1899/4914
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	22	20
Dwelling Place	Wakapuaka	Hope, N.Z.
Length of Residence	3 weeks	2 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar, Nelson
Folio	99/4668
Consent	Christian Frederick Schwass, Father
Date of Certificate	18 October 1899
Officiating Minister	Hugh Calders, Registrar

26 October 1899

Edward Colton
Sarah Jane Frater

Edward Colton
Sarah Jane Frater
💍 1899/4931

Widower
Widow

Bootmaker
Domestic duties

55
47

Hardy St., Nelson
Waimea St., Nelson

11 years
5 years

Church of Christ, Waimea Street, Nelson

99/4671

26 October 1899

Rev. Edward Lewis, Church of Christ

No	44
Date of Notice	26 October 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Colton	Sarah Jane Frater
	💍 1899/4931
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Bootmaker	Domestic duties
Age	55	47
Dwelling Place	Hardy St., Nelson	Waimea St., Nelson
Length of Residence	11 years	5 years
Marriage Place	Church of Christ, Waimea Street, Nelson
Folio	99/4671
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 October 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Lewis, Church of Christ

10 November 1899

William George Baker
Sarah Miriam Packer

William George Baker
Sarah Miriana Packer
💍 1899/4933

Bachelor
Spinster

Chemist's Assistant
Domestic duties

30
27

South St., Nelson
South St., Nelson

3 days
3 months

Salvation Army Barracks, Bridge St., Nelson

99/4673

10 November 1899

Adjutant John Ward, Salvation Army

No	45
Date of Notice	10 November 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William George Baker	Sarah Miriam Packer
BDM Match (95%)	William George Baker	Sarah Miriana Packer
	💍 1899/4933
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Chemist's Assistant	Domestic duties
Age	30	27
Dwelling Place	South St., Nelson	South St., Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 months
Marriage Place	Salvation Army Barracks, Bridge St., Nelson
Folio	99/4673
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 November 1899
Officiating Minister	Adjutant John Ward, Salvation Army

30 November 1899

William Jenkins
Ann Rickley

William Jenkins
Ann Rekley
💍 1899/4934

William Jenkins
Mary Anne Macnab
💍 1900/1024

Widower
Widow

Farmer
Domestic duties

66
58

Bridge St., Nelson
Bridge St., Nelson

3 days
3 days

Wesleyan Church, Hardy St., Nelson

99/4674

30 November 1899

Rev. J. B. Smalley, Wesleyan Minister

No	46
Date of Notice	30 November 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Jenkins	Ann Rickley
BDM Match (91%)	William Jenkins	Ann Rekley
	💍 1899/4934
BDM Match (63%)	William Jenkins	Mary Anne Macnab
	💍 1900/1024
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	66	58
Dwelling Place	Bridge St., Nelson	Bridge St., Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Wesleyan Church, Hardy St., Nelson
Folio	99/4674
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 November 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. B. Smalley, Wesleyan Minister

30 November 1899

James Henry Rankin
Maude Josephine Kerr

James Henry Rankin
Maude Josephine Kerr
💍 1899/4915

Bachelor
Spinster

Merchant
Domestic duties

33
23

Motueka
Trafalgar St., Nelson

4 years
12 months

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nile St., Nelson

99/4677

30 November 1899

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	47
Date of Notice	30 November 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Henry Rankin	Maude Josephine Kerr
	💍 1899/4915
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Merchant	Domestic duties
Age	33	23
Dwelling Place	Motueka	Trafalgar St., Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	12 months
Marriage Place	Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nile St., Nelson
Folio	99/4677
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 November 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

4 December 1899

Walter Ambrose Kitchener
Alice May Gledhill

Walter Ambrose Mitchener
Alice May Gledhill
💍 1899/4932

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic duties

21
21

Waimea Road, Nelson
Wellington St., Nelson

7 years
21 years

Residence of George Gledhill, Wellington St., Nelson

99/4672

4 December 1899

Rev. Edward Lewis, Church of Christ

No	48
Date of Notice	4 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Walter Ambrose Kitchener	Alice May Gledhill
BDM Match (98%)	Walter Ambrose Mitchener	Alice May Gledhill
	💍 1899/4932
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic duties
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	Waimea Road, Nelson	Wellington St., Nelson
Length of Residence	7 years	21 years
Marriage Place	Residence of George Gledhill, Wellington St., Nelson
Folio	99/4672
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. Edward Lewis, Church of Christ

12 December 1899

Harry Green
Elfrida Hargreaves

Harry Green
Elfrieda Hargreaves
💍 1899/4925

Bachelor
Spinster

Carter
Office Cleaner

26
29

Washington Road, Nelson
Waimea St., Nelson

2 years
9 years

All Saints Church, Vanguard St., Nelson

99/4669

12 December 1899

Rev. F. W. Chatterton, Church of England Minister

No	49
Date of Notice	12 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harry Green	Elfrida Hargreaves
BDM Match (97%)	Harry Green	Elfrieda Hargreaves
	💍 1899/4925
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carter	Office Cleaner
Age	26	29
Dwelling Place	Washington Road, Nelson	Waimea St., Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	9 years
Marriage Place	All Saints Church, Vanguard St., Nelson
Folio	99/4669
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. F. W. Chatterton, Church of England Minister

13 December 1899

William Webb
Lizzie Crease

William Webb
Lizzie Crease
💍 1899/4935

Bachelor
Spinster

Monument Manufacturer
Domestic Servant

32
23

Gloucester St., Nelson
Trafalgar Square, Nelson

8 weeks
3 days

St. John's Wesleyan Church, Hardy St., Nelson

99/4675

15 December 1899

Rev. J. B. Smalley, Wesleyan Minister

No	50
Date of Notice	13 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Webb	Lizzie Crease
	💍 1899/4935
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Monument Manufacturer	Domestic Servant
Age	32	23
Dwelling Place	Gloucester St., Nelson	Trafalgar Square, Nelson
Length of Residence	8 weeks	3 days
Marriage Place	St. John's Wesleyan Church, Hardy St., Nelson
Folio	99/4675
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. B. Smalley, Wesleyan Minister

18 December 1899

Richard Twort
Millie Elliott

Richard Twort
Nellie Elliott
💍 1899/4917

Bachelor
Spinster

Laborer
Domestic duties

36
21

Waimea St., Nelson
Brook St., Nelson

4 months
21 years

Residence of Sarah Elliott, Brook St., Nelson

99/4679

18 December 1899

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	51
Date of Notice	18 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Twort	Millie Elliott
BDM Match (93%)	Richard Twort	Nellie Elliott
	💍 1899/4917
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Laborer	Domestic duties
Age	36	21
Dwelling Place	Waimea St., Nelson	Brook St., Nelson
Length of Residence	4 months	21 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Sarah Elliott, Brook St., Nelson
Folio	99/4679
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

21 December 1899

Harold McCartney
Louisa O'Brien

Harold McArtney
Louisa O'Brien
💍 1899/4916

Bachelor
Spinster

Plumber
Domestic duties

23
24

Bridge St., Nelson
Bridge St., Nelson

18 months
20 years

Residence of Susan Scott, Bridge St., Nelson

99/4678

21 December 1899

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	52
Date of Notice	21 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harold McCartney	Louisa O'Brien
BDM Match (94%)	Harold McArtney	Louisa O'Brien
	💍 1899/4916
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Plumber	Domestic duties
Age	23	24
Dwelling Place	Bridge St., Nelson	Bridge St., Nelson
Length of Residence	18 months	20 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Susan Scott, Bridge St., Nelson
Folio	99/4678
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

28 December 1899

Archibald McLaren
Margaret Lake

Archibald McLaren
Margaret Lake
💍 1899/4930

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
Domestic duties

32
27

Wakefield Quay, Nelson
Wakefield Quay, Nelson

4 days
27 years

All Saints Church, Vanguard St., Nelson

99/4670

28 December 1899

Rev. F. W. Chatterton, Church of England Minister

No	53
Date of Notice	28 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Archibald McLaren	Margaret Lake
	💍 1899/4930
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	Domestic duties
Age	32	27
Dwelling Place	Wakefield Quay, Nelson	Wakefield Quay, Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	27 years
Marriage Place	All Saints Church, Vanguard St., Nelson
Folio	99/4670
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. F. W. Chatterton, Church of England Minister

29 December 1899

Alexander Bartrop
Charlotte Smith Neve

Alexander Barltrop
Charlotte Smith Neve
💍 1900/664

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
Domestic duties

23
23

Nile St., Nelson
Waimea Road, Nelson

4 days
23 years

Congregational Church, Hardy St., Nelson

00/717

29 December 1899

Rev. E. C. Isaac, Congregational Minister

No	54
Date of Notice	29 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alexander Bartrop	Charlotte Smith Neve
BDM Match (97%)	Alexander Barltrop	Charlotte Smith Neve
	💍 1900/664
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	Domestic duties
Age	23	23
Dwelling Place	Nile St., Nelson	Waimea Road, Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	23 years
Marriage Place	Congregational Church, Hardy St., Nelson
Folio	00/717
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. E. C. Isaac, Congregational Minister

29 December 1899

Frederick Joseph Playford Stone
Ella Fanny Smith

Frederick Joseph Playford Stone
Ella Fanny Smith
💍 1900/663

Bachelor
Spinster

Laborer
Domestic duties

22
22

Richmond
Hope

8 months
22 years

Residence of William Pare Smith, Hope

00/716

29 December 1899

Rev. J. G. Carr, Wesleyan Minister

No	55
Date of Notice	29 December 1899
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick Joseph Playford Stone	Ella Fanny Smith
	💍 1900/663
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Laborer	Domestic duties
Age	22	22
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Hope
Length of Residence	8 months	22 years
Marriage Place	Residence of William Pare Smith, Hope
Folio	00/716
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 December 1899
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. G. Carr, 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).