Intentions to Marry, 1902 South Island

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840422, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Luke and Carole at Archives NZ Wellington, October 3 and October 8, 2025.

1902 is bound in two volumes, North Island districts and South Island districts.

Page 137

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 1902 Registrar S. Blomfield

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

9 July 1902

Harry Edward Gibbs
Annie Margaret Hardrop Gardner

Harry Edward Gibbs
Annie Margaret Wardrop Gardner
💍 1902/4006

Bachelor
Spinster

Medical Practitioner
Household duties

28
32

Bishopdale Nelson
Nile Street Nelson

3 days
3 days

Chapel of the Holy Evangelist Bishopdale Nelson

09/3868

9 July 1902

Right Revd. C. O. Mules, Bishop Church of England

No	40
Date of Notice	9 July 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harry Edward Gibbs	Annie Margaret Hardrop Gardner
BDM Match (98%)	Harry Edward Gibbs	Annie Margaret Wardrop Gardner
	💍 1902/4006
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Medical Practitioner	Household duties
Age	28	32
Dwelling Place	Bishopdale Nelson	Nile Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Chapel of the Holy Evangelist Bishopdale Nelson
Folio	09/3868
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 July 1902
Officiating Minister	Right Revd. C. O. Mules, Bishop Church of England

9 July 1902

Job Meads
Grace Peace Ching

Job Meads
Grace Pearce Ching
💍 1902/4008

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Dressmaker

31
30

Brook Street Nelson
Stoke

31 years
30 years

at the residence of Mr. Elizabeth Ching, Stoke

09/3870

9 July 1902

Revd. J. G. Carr, Wesleyan Minister

No	41
Date of Notice	9 July 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Job Meads	Grace Peace Ching
BDM Match (97%)	Job Meads	Grace Pearce Ching
	💍 1902/4008
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Dressmaker
Age	31	30
Dwelling Place	Brook Street Nelson	Stoke
Length of Residence	31 years	30 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. Elizabeth Ching, Stoke
Folio	09/3870
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 July 1902
Officiating Minister	Revd. J. G. Carr, Wesleyan Minister

10 July 1902

Albert Vincent Hells
Elizabeth Mockett

Albert Vincent Wells
Elizabeth Mockett
💍 1902/4053

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic Duties

21
23

Russell Street Nelson
Russell Street Nelson

21 years
5 years

at the residence of Mr. William Hells, Russell Street Nelson

09/3872

10 July 1902

Revd. E. C. Rolison, Church of England Minister

No	42
Date of Notice	10 July 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert Vincent Hells	Elizabeth Mockett
BDM Match (98%)	Albert Vincent Wells	Elizabeth Mockett
	💍 1902/4053
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic Duties
Age	21	23
Dwelling Place	Russell Street Nelson	Russell Street Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	5 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. William Hells, Russell Street Nelson
Folio	09/3872
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 July 1902
Officiating Minister	Revd. E. C. Rolison, Church of England Minister

12 July 1902

Charles Richard Fredrick Tomlinson
Clara Kite

Charles Richard Frederick Tomlinson
Clara Kite
💍 1902/78

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic Duties

32
22

Waimea Street Nelson
Waimea Street Nelson

3 days
3 days

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Manuka St. Nelson

09/3980

12 July 1902

Revd. George Mahoney, Roman Catholic Priest

No	43
Date of Notice	12 July 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Richard Fredrick Tomlinson	Clara Kite
BDM Match (99%)	Charles Richard Frederick Tomlinson	Clara Kite
	💍 1902/78
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic Duties
Age	32	22
Dwelling Place	Waimea Street Nelson	Waimea Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Manuka St. Nelson
Folio	09/3980
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 July 1902
Officiating Minister	Revd. George Mahoney, Roman Catholic Priest

19 July 1902

William Ormsby Stoke
Frances Harriett Lowden

William Arnsby Styche
Frances Harriett Levien
💍 1902/4045

Bachelor
Spinster

Civil Servant
Nil

42
34

Manuka Street Nelson
Nile Street Nelson

21 months
34 years

at the residence of Mr. Henrietta Lowden, Nile St. Nelson

09/3883

19 July 1902

Revd. Jas. H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	44
Date of Notice	19 July 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Ormsby Stoke	Frances Harriett Lowden
BDM Match (82%)	William Arnsby Styche	Frances Harriett Levien
	💍 1902/4045
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Civil Servant	Nil
Age	42	34
Dwelling Place	Manuka Street Nelson	Nile Street Nelson
Length of Residence	21 months	34 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. Henrietta Lowden, Nile St. Nelson
Folio	09/3883
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 July 1902
Officiating Minister	Revd. Jas. H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

26 July 1902

Albert William Gill
Mary Alice Chapman

Albert William Gill
Mary Alice Chapman
💍 1902/4064

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic Servant

22
23

Redwoods Valley
Hardy Street Nelson

22 years
9 months

at the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

09/3879

26 July 1902

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	45
Date of Notice	26 July 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert William Gill	Mary Alice Chapman
	💍 1902/4064
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic Servant
Age	22	23
Dwelling Place	Redwoods Valley	Hardy Street Nelson
Length of Residence	22 years	9 months
Marriage Place	at the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	09/3879
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 July 1902
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

11 August 1902

John Davies
Annie Griffiths

John Davies
Annie Griffiths
💍 1902/4065

Bachelor
Spinster

Moulder
Household Duties

29
29

Trafalgar Street Nelson
Trafalgar Street Nelson

3 days
3 days

at the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

09/3880

11 August 1902

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	46
Date of Notice	11 August 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Davies	Annie Griffiths
	💍 1902/4065
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Moulder	Household Duties
Age	29	29
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar Street Nelson	Trafalgar Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	at the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	09/3880
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 August 1902
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

11 August 1902

Stephen Marshall Riley
Charlotte Minnie Best

Stephen Marshall Riley
Charlotte Minnie Best
💍 1902/4043

Bachelor
Spinster

General Carter
Domestic Duties

23
24

Appleby
Appleby

3 days
20 years

at the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

09/3881

11 August 1902

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	47
Date of Notice	11 August 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Stephen Marshall Riley	Charlotte Minnie Best
	💍 1902/4043
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	General Carter	Domestic Duties
Age	23	24
Dwelling Place	Appleby	Appleby
Length of Residence	3 days	20 years
Marriage Place	at the office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	09/3881
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 August 1902
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

11 August 1902

Joseph Busch
Margaret May King

Joseph Busch
Margaret May King
💍 1902/4679

Widower
Spinster

Gardener
Domestic Duties

35
21

Collingwood Street Nelson
Collingwood Street Nelson

35 years
5 years

Christ's Church, Trafalgar Square, Nelson

09/4586

11 August 1902

Revd. J. J. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	48
Date of Notice	11 August 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Busch	Margaret May King
	💍 1902/4679
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Gardener	Domestic Duties
Age	35	21
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street Nelson	Collingwood Street Nelson
Length of Residence	35 years	5 years
Marriage Place	Christ's Church, Trafalgar Square, Nelson
Folio	09/4586
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 August 1902
Officiating Minister	Revd. J. J. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

13 August 1902

Thomas Heberley
Annie Christian

Thomas Heberley
Annie Christian
💍 1902/4059

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter
Domestic Duties

26
29

Bridge Street Nelson
Vanguard Street Nelson

2 years
29 years

at the residence of Mr. Martin Christian, Vanguard St. Nelson

09/3873

13 August 1902

Revd. E. C. Rolison, Church of England Minister

No	49
Date of Notice	13 August 1902
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Heberley	Annie Christian
	💍 1902/4059
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter	Domestic Duties
Age	26	29
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Vanguard Street Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	29 years
Marriage Place	at the residence of Mr. Martin Christian, Vanguard St. Nelson
Folio	09/3873
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 August 1902
Officiating Minister	Revd. E. C. Rolison, Church of England Minister

These records have been automatically transcribed and must be verified using the page image (below)

100% Contrast

100% Brightness

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).