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 143

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 June 1903 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

1 April 1903

David Burns
Sarah Elizabeth Taylor

David Burns
Sarah Elizabeth Taylor
💍 1903/168

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic Servant

52
40

Waimea Road, Nelson
Trafalgar Square, Nelson

52 years
25 years

The residence of David Burns, Waimea Road, Nelson

03/2474

1 April 1903

Jas H Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	22
Date of Notice	1 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Burns	Sarah Elizabeth Taylor
	💍 1903/168
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic Servant
Age	52	40
Dwelling Place	Waimea Road, Nelson	Trafalgar Square, Nelson
Length of Residence	52 years	25 years
Marriage Place	The residence of David Burns, Waimea Road, Nelson
Folio	03/2474
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Jas H Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

6 April 1903

Percy Felix Burn
Margaret Crewdon Britt

Percy Felix Burn
Margaret Crewdson Britt
💍 1903/152

Bachelor
Spinster

Saddler
Clerk

25
25

Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Hastings Street, Nelson

25 years
25 years

The residence of George Britt, Hastings Street, Nelson

03/2482

6 April 1903

D McKee Wright, Congregational Minister

No	23
Date of Notice	6 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Percy Felix Burn	Margaret Crewdon Britt
BDM Match (98%)	Percy Felix Burn	Margaret Crewdson Britt
	💍 1903/152
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Saddler	Clerk
Age	25	25
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar Street, Nelson	Hastings Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	25 years
Marriage Place	The residence of George Britt, Hastings Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2482
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 April 1903
Officiating Minister	D McKee Wright, Congregational Minister

7 April 1903

Francis Herbert Stagg
Mary Emma Sigglekow

Francis Herbert Stagg
Mary Emma Sigglekow
💍 1903/4811

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic Duties

27
19

Hope
Hope

23 years
19 years

St Albans Church of England, Appleby

03/4471

H F E Sigglekow, father

7 April 1903

W G Baker, Church of England Minister

No	24
Date of Notice	7 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Francis Herbert Stagg	Mary Emma Sigglekow
	💍 1903/4811
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic Duties
Age	27	19
Dwelling Place	Hope	Hope
Length of Residence	23 years	19 years
Marriage Place	St Albans Church of England, Appleby
Folio	03/4471
Consent	H F E Sigglekow, father
Date of Certificate	7 April 1903
Officiating Minister	W G Baker, Church of England Minister

8 April 1903

John Phillip Harris
Agnes Prouse

John Phillip Harris
Agnes Prouse
💍 1903/1257

Bachelor
Widow

Labourer
Dressmaker

38
32

Bridge Street, Nelson
Bridge Street, Nelson

3 months
3 days

The Residence of Bert Allen, Cambria Street, Nelson

03/2465

8 April 1903

E C Robison, Church of England Minister

No	25
Date of Notice	8 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Phillip Harris	Agnes Prouse
	💍 1903/1257
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Labourer	Dressmaker
Age	38	32
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 months	3 days
Marriage Place	The Residence of Bert Allen, Cambria Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2465
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 April 1903
Officiating Minister	E C Robison, Church of England Minister

13 April 1903

John Richard Hart
Helen Mary Ross

John Richard Hart
Helen Mary Ross
💍 1903/1252

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic Duties

28
20

Richmond
Bridge Street, Nelson

19 years
3 days

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/2461

John Ross, father

13 April 1903

S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	26
Date of Notice	13 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Richard Hart	Helen Mary Ross
	💍 1903/1252
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic Duties
Age	28	20
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	19 years	3 days
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/2461
Consent	John Ross, father
Date of Certificate	13 April 1903
Officiating Minister	S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

22 April 1903

Charles Augustus Richardson
Edith Maria Agnes Edwards

Charles Augustus Richardson
Edith Maria Agnes Edwards
💍 1903/1258

Bachelor
Spinster

Secretary, Assurance Co.

39
30

Nelson
Manuka Street, Nelson

3 days
30 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

03/2466

22 April 1903

E C Robison, Church of England Minister

No	27
Date of Notice	22 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Augustus Richardson	Edith Maria Agnes Edwards
	💍 1903/1258
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Secretary, Assurance Co.
Age	39	30
Dwelling Place	Nelson	Manuka Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	30 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2466
Consent
Date of Certificate	22 April 1903
Officiating Minister	E C Robison, Church of England Minister

24 April 1903

Herbert Gay
Mary Elizabeth Weir

Herbert Gay
Mary Elizabeth Weir
💍 1903/169

Bachelor
Spinster

Coach Builder
Domestic Duties

25
24

Halifax Street, Nelson
Russell Street, Nelson

25 years
24 years

Residence of Mary Weir, Russell Street, Nelson

03/2475

24 April 1903

Jas H Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	28
Date of Notice	24 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Herbert Gay	Mary Elizabeth Weir
	💍 1903/169
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Coach Builder	Domestic Duties
Age	25	24
Dwelling Place	Halifax Street, Nelson	Russell Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	24 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mary Weir, Russell Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2475
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 April 1903
Officiating Minister	Jas H Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

25 April 1903

William Howard
Lucy Ethel Lucas

William Howard
Lucy Ethel Lucas
💍 1903/145

Bachelor
Spinster

Cabinet Maker
Domestic Duties

28
27

Stepneyville, Nelson
Stepneyville, Nelson

3 days
18 months

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

03/2467

25 April 1903

E C Robison, Church of England Minister

No	29
Date of Notice	25 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Howard	Lucy Ethel Lucas
	💍 1903/145
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Cabinet Maker	Domestic Duties
Age	28	27
Dwelling Place	Stepneyville, Nelson	Stepneyville, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	18 months
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2467
Consent
Date of Certificate	25 April 1903
Officiating Minister	E C Robison, Church of England Minister

28 April 1903

William Scott Canavan
Elizabeth Maude Giblin

William Scott Canavan
Elizabeth Maude Giblin
💍 1903/156

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant
School Teacher

42
30

Nile Street, Nelson
Halifax Street, Nelson

3 days
10 months

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

03/2468

28 April 1903

E C Robison, Church of England Minister

No	30
Date of Notice	28 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Scott Canavan	Elizabeth Maude Giblin
	💍 1903/156
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant	School Teacher
Age	42	30
Dwelling Place	Nile Street, Nelson	Halifax Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	10 months
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2468
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 April 1903
Officiating Minister	E C Robison, Church of England Minister

29 April 1903

Francis John Schwass
Alice Martha Schroder

Francis John Schwass
Elsie Martha Schroder
💍 1903/1254

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic Duties

22
15

Hope
Redwood Valley

22 years
15 years

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/2462

Chas J F Schroder, father

29 April 1903

S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	31
Date of Notice	29 April 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Francis John Schwass	Alice Martha Schroder
BDM Match (93%)	Francis John Schwass	Elsie Martha Schroder
	💍 1903/1254
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic Duties
Age	22	15
Dwelling Place	Hope	Redwood Valley
Length of Residence	22 years	15 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/2462
Consent	Chas J F Schroder, father
Date of Certificate	29 April 1903
Officiating Minister	S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

2 May 1903

Richard Trewavas
Eliza Louisa Livick

Richard Trewavas
Eliza Louisa Livick
💍 1903/1251

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Household Duties

33
35

Milton Street, Nelson

35 years

Residence of Eliza Livick, Milton Street, Nelson

03/2459

2 May 1903

Thomas Johnston, Church of England Minister

No	32
Date of Notice	2 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Richard Trewavas	Eliza Louisa Livick
	💍 1903/1251
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Household Duties
Age	33	35
Dwelling Place		Milton Street, Nelson
Length of Residence		35 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Eliza Livick, Milton Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2459
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 May 1903
Officiating Minister	Thomas Johnston, Church of England Minister

2 May 1903

Donald Stephen Thomson
Hilda May Croudis

Donald Stephen Thomson
Hilda May Croudis
💍 1903/153

Bachelor
Spinster

Draughtsman
Domestic Duties

22
20

Tasman Street, Nelson
Waimea Street, Nelson

3 1/2 years
20 years

Residence of Robert Henry Croudis, Waimea Street, Nelson

03/2483

Robert Henry Croudis, father

2 May 1903

D McKee Wright, Congregational Minister

No	33
Date of Notice	2 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Donald Stephen Thomson	Hilda May Croudis
	💍 1903/153
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Draughtsman	Domestic Duties
Age	22	20
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Waimea Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 1/2 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Robert Henry Croudis, Waimea Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2483
Consent	Robert Henry Croudis, father
Date of Certificate	2 May 1903
Officiating Minister	D McKee Wright, Congregational Minister

4 May 1903

Herbert Edward Biggs
Edith Jane Kinzett

Herbert Edward Biggs
Edith Jane Kinzett
💍 1903/1255

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic Duties

24
22

Richmond
Hope

7 weeks
15 years

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/2463

4 May 1903

S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	34
Date of Notice	4 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Herbert Edward Biggs	Edith Jane Kinzett
	💍 1903/1255
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic Duties
Age	24	22
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Hope
Length of Residence	7 weeks	15 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/2463
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 May 1903
Officiating Minister	S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

4 May 1903

Charles Restall Cooke
Annie Flett

Charles Restallo Cooke
Annie Flett
💍 1903/146

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk
Domestic Duties

25
26

Examiner Street, Nelson
Collingwood Street, Nelson

25 years
26 years

Residence of William Flett, Collingwood Street, Nelson

03/2476

4 May 1903

Jas H Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	35
Date of Notice	4 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Restall Cooke	Annie Flett
BDM Match (98%)	Charles Restallo Cooke	Annie Flett
	💍 1903/146
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk	Domestic Duties
Age	25	26
Dwelling Place	Examiner Street, Nelson	Collingwood Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	26 years
Marriage Place	Residence of William Flett, Collingwood Street, Nelson
Folio	03/2476
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 May 1903
Officiating Minister	Jas H Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

7 May 1903

James Alexander Hume
Cornelia Rose

James Alexander Hume
Cornelia Rose
💍 1903/1256

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic Servant

29
27

The Port, Nelson
The Port, Nelson

3 days
3 days

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/2464

7 May 1903

S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	36
Date of Notice	7 May 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Alexander Hume	Cornelia Rose
	💍 1903/1256
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic Servant
Age	29	27
Dwelling Place	The Port, Nelson	The Port, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/2464
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 May 1903
Officiating Minister	S Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

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 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).