Intentions to Marry, 1903 South Island

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840424, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

Imaged by Carole at Archives NZ Wellington, October 10 2025.

1903 is bound in two volumes, North Island districts and South Island districts.

Page 069

District of Buller Quarter ending 30 June 1903 Registrar Herbert Logis

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 April 1903

Alfred Ernest Maxwell
Mary Harnagan

Alfred Ernest Maxwell
Mary Hannagan
💍 1903/2685

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawmiller

35
28

Westport
Westport

3 days
3 days

In the Church of England, Westport

03/2425

9 April 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	8
Date of Notice	9 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Ernest Maxwell	Mary Harnagan
BDM Match (96%)	Alfred Ernest Maxwell	Mary Hannagan
	💍 1903/2685
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawmiller
Age	35	28
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Westport
Folio	03/2425
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

11 April 1903

Thomas Wilfred Flowers
Florence McDonald

Thomas Wilfred Flowers
Florence McDonald
💍 1903/3915

Bachelor
Spinster

Grocer
Dressmaker

25
22

Westport
Westport

25 years
22 years

In the Wesleyan Church, Westport

03/3298

11 April 1903

Rev. J. P. Blamires, Methodist

No	9
Date of Notice	11 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Wilfred Flowers	Florence McDonald
	💍 1903/3915
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Grocer	Dressmaker
Age	25	22
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	25 years	22 years
Marriage Place	In the Wesleyan Church, Westport
Folio	03/3298
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Blamires, Methodist

22 April 1903

Samuel McIntyre
Mary Ellen Isaacson

Samuel McIntyre
Mary Ellen Isaacson
💍 1903/2664

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

23
22

Westport
Westport

10 days
4 months

Residence of Rev. J. R. Dart, Bright Street, Westport

03/2426

22 April 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	10
Date of Notice	22 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Samuel McIntyre	Mary Ellen Isaacson
	💍 1903/2664
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	23	22
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	10 days	4 months
Marriage Place	Residence of Rev. J. R. Dart, Bright Street, Westport
Folio	03/2426
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

24 April 1903

Robert Wood Steven
Annie Adelaide O'Brien

Robert Wood Steven
Annie Adelaide OBrien
💍 1903/2665

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

25
23

Westport
Westport

3 days
1 year

In the Church of England, Westport

03/2427

24 April 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	11
Date of Notice	24 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Wood Steven	Annie Adelaide O'Brien
BDM Match (98%)	Robert Wood Steven	Annie Adelaide OBrien
	💍 1903/2665
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	25	23
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	3 days	1 year
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Westport
Folio	03/2427
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

30 April 1903

Joseph Chamberlain Young
Teresa Fair

Joseph Chamberlain Young
Teresa Fair
💍 1903/2666

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk

25
23

Westport
Westport

14 days
23 years

In the Church of England, Westport

03/2428

30 April 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	12
Date of Notice	30 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Joseph Chamberlain Young	Teresa Fair
	💍 1903/2666
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk
Age	25	23
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	14 days	23 years
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Westport
Folio	03/2428
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

6 May 1903

David Wright
Celena Harcus

David Wright
Celena Harcus
💍 1903/2669

David Wright
Flora Neil
💍 1903/6494

Bachelor
Spinster

Foreman

22
21

Westport
Westport

4 years
9 years

In the residence of Richard Harcus, Gladstone Street, Westport

03/2431

6 May 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	13
Date of Notice	6 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Wright	Celena Harcus
	💍 1903/2669
BDM Match (62%)	David Wright	Flora Neil
	💍 1903/6494
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Foreman
Age	22	21
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	4 years	9 years
Marriage Place	In the residence of Richard Harcus, Gladstone Street, Westport
Folio	03/2431
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 May 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

6 May 1903

Sebastian Charles Martin
Annie Maria Rohde

Sebastian Charles Martin
Anna Maria Rohde
💍 1903/2667

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner

29
23

Westport
Westport

4 days
4 days

In the Church of England, Westport

03/2429

6 May 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	14
Date of Notice	6 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Sebastian Charles Martin	Annie Maria Rohde
BDM Match (94%)	Sebastian Charles Martin	Anna Maria Rohde
	💍 1903/2667
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner
Age	29	23
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	4 days	4 days
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Westport
Folio	03/2429
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 May 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

7 May 1903

Smith Hadfield Smeaton
Lucy Edith White

Smith Hadfield Smeaton
Lucy Edith White
💍 1903/2668

Bachelor
Spinster

Dredgemaster
Schoolteacher

29
23

Westport
Westport

3 days
3 days

In the Church of England, Westport

03/2430

7 May 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	15
Date of Notice	7 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Smith Hadfield Smeaton	Lucy Edith White
	💍 1903/2668
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Dredgemaster	Schoolteacher
Age	29	23
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Westport
Folio	03/2430
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 May 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

4 June 1903

William John Stevens
Rose Ellen Rathbon

William John Stevens
Rose Ellen Rathbon
💍 1903/2672

Bachelor
Spinster

Laborer

23
25

Westport
Westport

8 months
25 years

In the Salvation Army Barracks, Palmerston Street, Westport

03/2434

4 June 1903

Staff Capt. Edwin Bishop, Salvation Army

No	16
Date of Notice	4 June 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William John Stevens	Rose Ellen Rathbon
	💍 1903/2672
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Laborer
Age	23	25
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	8 months	25 years
Marriage Place	In the Salvation Army Barracks, Palmerston Street, Westport
Folio	03/2434
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 June 1903
Officiating Minister	Staff Capt. Edwin Bishop, Salvation Army

20 June 1903

George Morrish
Mary McGrath

George Morrish
Mary McGrath
💍 1903/2671

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

28
23

Westport
Westport

3 months
3 weeks

In the Roman Catholic Presbytery, Brougham St., Westport

03/2433

20 June 1903

Rev. Thomas Walshe, Roman Catholic

No	17
Date of Notice	20 June 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Morrish	Mary McGrath
	💍 1903/2671
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	28	23
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	3 months	3 weeks
Marriage Place	In the Roman Catholic Presbytery, Brougham St., Westport
Folio	03/2433
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 June 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. Thomas Walshe, Roman Catholic

27 June 1903

Albert William Henry Morris
Maud Elizabeth Case

Albert William Henry Morris
Maud Elizabeth Case
💍 1903/2670

Widower
Spinster

Contractor

28
18

Westport
Westport

28 years
16 years

In the residence of Mr. Edward Lally, Derby Street, Westport

03/2432

Henry Case, father of bride

27 June 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	18
Date of Notice	27 June 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert William Henry Morris	Maud Elizabeth Case
	💍 1903/2670
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Contractor
Age	28	18
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	28 years	16 years
Marriage Place	In the residence of Mr. Edward Lally, Derby Street, Westport
Folio	03/2432
Consent	Henry Case, father of bride
Date of Certificate	27 June 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

29 June 1903

Charles Lecher
Eliza Connell

Charles Lecher
Eliza Connell
💍 1903/4349

Bachelor
Spinster

Laborer

35
32

Westport
Westport

2 years
7 days

In the residence of Benjamin Clifford, Derby Street, Westport

03/4110

29 June 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	19
Date of Notice	29 June 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Lecher	Eliza Connell
	💍 1903/4349
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Laborer
Age	35	32
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	2 years	7 days
Marriage Place	In the residence of Benjamin Clifford, Derby Street, Westport
Folio	03/4110
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 June 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

30 June 1903

William Henry Arnott
Evelyn Harriett Youngdal

William Henry Arnott
Evelyn Harriett Youngdal
💍 1903/4347

Bachelor
Spinster

Plumber

26
22

Westport
Westport

4 years
16 years

In the Church of England, Westport

03/4109

30 June 1903

Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

No	20
Date of Notice	30 June 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Henry Arnott	Evelyn Harriett Youngdal
	💍 1903/4347
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Plumber
Age	26	22
Dwelling Place	Westport	Westport
Length of Residence	4 years	16 years
Marriage Place	In the Church of England, Westport
Folio	03/4109
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 June 1903
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. R. Dart, Church of England

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 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).