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 147

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 December 1903 Registrar S. B. 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 October 1903

John Lethaby
Jane Elizabeth Liley

John Lethaby
Jane Elizabeth Liley
💍 1903/5838

Bachelor
Spinster

Umbrella maker
Domestic duties

31
20

Collingwood Street, Nelson
Vincent Street, Nelson

3 weeks
20 years

The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/5796

William Liley, Father

14 October 1903

S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	63
Date of Notice	1 October 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Lethaby	Jane Elizabeth Liley
	💍 1903/5838
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Umbrella maker	Domestic duties
Age	31	20
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street, Nelson	Vincent Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 weeks	20 years
Marriage Place	The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/5796
Consent	William Liley, Father
Date of Certificate	14 October 1903
Officiating Minister	S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

5 October 1903

Norman Cecil Armstrong
Mary Agnes Lottie Haydon

Norman Cecil Armstrong
Mary Agnes Letitia Hayden
💍 1903/6586

Bachelor
Spinster

Plumber
Domestic duties

20
18

Harper Street, Nelson
Collingwood Street, Nelson

20 years
5 years

The residence of Arthur Haydon, Collingwood Street, Nelson

03/6593

Arthur Haydon, Father

15 October 1903

Geo. Mahony, Roman Catholic Priest

No	64
Date of Notice	5 October 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Norman Cecil Armstrong	Mary Agnes Lottie Haydon
BDM Match (92%)	Norman Cecil Armstrong	Mary Agnes Letitia Hayden
	💍 1903/6586
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Plumber	Domestic duties
Age	20	18
Dwelling Place	Harper Street, Nelson	Collingwood Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	5 years
Marriage Place	The residence of Arthur Haydon, Collingwood Street, Nelson
Folio	03/6593
Consent	Arthur Haydon, Father
Date of Certificate	15 October 1903
Officiating Minister	Geo. Mahony, Roman Catholic Priest

7 October 1903

William Avery
Martha Brown

William Avery
Martha Brown
💍 1903/6017

William Lawson
Clara Brown
💍 1903/5717

Bachelor
Widow

Labourer
Domestic duties

34
38

Nile Street, Nelson
Nile Street, Nelson

4 weeks
4 weeks

The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/5797

21 October 1903

S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	65
Date of Notice	7 October 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Avery	Martha Brown
	💍 1903/6017
BDM Match (62%)	William Lawson	Clara Brown
	💍 1903/5717
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	34	38
Dwelling Place	Nile Street, Nelson	Nile Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	4 weeks	4 weeks
Marriage Place	The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/5797
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 October 1903
Officiating Minister	S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

17 October 1903

Ernest Wellin Robinson
Christie Ruby Townsend Hanley

Ernest Crellia Robinson
Christie Ruby Townsend Hanby
💍 1903/6518

Bachelor
Spinster

Surveyor & Engineer
Household duties

24
22

Hardy Street, Nelson
Hardy Street, Nelson

3 days
7.5 years

Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson

03/6584

31 October 1903

J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	66
Date of Notice	17 October 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Ernest Wellin Robinson	Christie Ruby Townsend Hanley
BDM Match (90%)	Ernest Crellia Robinson	Christie Ruby Townsend Hanby
	💍 1903/6518
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Surveyor & Engineer	Household duties
Age	24	22
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Hardy Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	7.5 years
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	03/6584
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 October 1903
Officiating Minister	J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

2 November 1903

Ernest Harold Atkinson
Emily May Haase

Ernest Harold Atkinson
Emily May Haase
💍 1903/6028

Bachelor
Spinster

Tinsmith
Domestic duties

22
22

Beachville, Nelson
Ngatiawa Street, Nelson

22 years
22 years

The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/5798

2 November 1903

S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	67
Date of Notice	2 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Ernest Harold Atkinson	Emily May Haase
	💍 1903/6028
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Tinsmith	Domestic duties
Age	22	22
Dwelling Place	Beachville, Nelson	Ngatiawa Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	22 years	22 years
Marriage Place	The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/5798
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 November 1903
Officiating Minister	S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

3 November 1903

Harold Sutton
Elizabeth Amy Osborn

Harold Sutton
Elizabeth Amy Osborn
💍 1903/6019

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic duties

21
24

Richmond
Richmond

21 years
14 years

All Saints Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

03/5808

3 November 1903

E. C. R. Robison, Church of England Minister

No	68
Date of Notice	3 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harold Sutton	Elizabeth Amy Osborn
	💍 1903/6019
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic duties
Age	21	24
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Richmond
Length of Residence	21 years	14 years
Marriage Place	All Saints Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	03/5808
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 November 1903
Officiating Minister	E. C. R. Robison, Church of England Minister

5 November 1903

Ernest Watson
Edith Maud Newport

Ernest Watson
Edith Maud Newport
💍 1903/6025

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter & Paperhanger
Domestic duties

26
25

Tasman Street, Nelson
Brook Street, Nelson

17 months
25 years

The residence of George Newport, Brook Street, Nelson

03/5814

5 November 1903

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	69
Date of Notice	5 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Ernest Watson	Edith Maud Newport
	💍 1903/6025
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter & Paperhanger	Domestic duties
Age	26	25
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Brook Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	17 months	25 years
Marriage Place	The residence of George Newport, Brook Street, Nelson
Folio	03/5814
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 November 1903
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

6 November 1903

David Edward Burton
Daisy Jane Shaw

David Edward Burton
Daisy Jane Shaw
💍 1903/6024

Bachelor
Spinster

Confectioner
Domestic duties

25
26

Hardy Street, Nelson
Washington Valley, Nelson

25 years
4 years

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson

03/5813

6 November 1903

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	70
Date of Notice	6 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Edward Burton	Daisy Jane Shaw
	💍 1903/6024
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Confectioner	Domestic duties
Age	25	26
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Washington Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	4 years
Marriage Place	Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson
Folio	03/5813
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 November 1903
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

7 November 1903

David Henry Bothwell
Daisy Maud Romage

David Henry Bothwell
Daisy Maud Ramage
💍 1903/6018

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Dressmaker

22
18

Alton Street, Nelson
Alton Street, Nelson

12 months
18 years

The residence of Sarah Gray, Alton Street, Nelson

03/5807

Sarah Gray, Mother

7 November 1903

Wm. Jas. Williams, Wesleyan Minister

No	71
Date of Notice	7 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Henry Bothwell	Daisy Maud Romage
BDM Match (97%)	David Henry Bothwell	Daisy Maud Ramage
	💍 1903/6018
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Dressmaker
Age	22	18
Dwelling Place	Alton Street, Nelson	Alton Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	12 months	18 years
Marriage Place	The residence of Sarah Gray, Alton Street, Nelson
Folio	03/5807
Consent	Sarah Gray, Mother
Date of Certificate	7 November 1903
Officiating Minister	Wm. Jas. Williams, Wesleyan Minister

10 November 1903

Magnus Allan Batchelor
Amelia Ann Goodall

Magnus Allan Batchelor
Amelia Ann Goodall
💍 1903/6035

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher
Domestic duties

23
23

Alton Street, Nelson
Nile Street, Nelson

9 months
8 months

The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/5799

10 November 1903

S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	72
Date of Notice	10 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Magnus Allan Batchelor	Amelia Ann Goodall
	💍 1903/6035
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher	Domestic duties
Age	23	23
Dwelling Place	Alton Street, Nelson	Nile Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	9 months	8 months
Marriage Place	The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/5799
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 November 1903
Officiating Minister	S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

14 November 1903

William Frederick Taylor
Mary Ann Allan

William Frederick Taylor
Mary Ann Allen
💍 1903/6026

Widower
Widow

Carter
Domestic duties

60
48

Washington Valley, Nelson
Washington Valley, Nelson

60 years
34 years

The residence of Jas. H. Mackenzie, Collingwood Street, Nelson

03/5815

14 November 1903

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	73
Date of Notice	14 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Frederick Taylor	Mary Ann Allan
BDM Match (96%)	William Frederick Taylor	Mary Ann Allen
	💍 1903/6026
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Carter	Domestic duties
Age	60	48
Dwelling Place	Washington Valley, Nelson	Washington Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	60 years	34 years
Marriage Place	The residence of Jas. H. Mackenzie, Collingwood Street, Nelson
Folio	03/5815
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 November 1903
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

14 November 1903

Henry Jellyman
Martha Hurford

Henry Jellyman
Martha Hurford
💍 1903/6023

Widower
Widow

Veterinary Surgeon
Domestic duties

53
51

Stoke
Washington Valley, Nelson

4 days
10 days

The residence of Henry Ching, Stoke

03/5817

14 November 1903

J. R. Jury, Wesleyan Minister

No	74
Date of Notice	14 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Jellyman	Martha Hurford
	💍 1903/6023
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Veterinary Surgeon	Domestic duties
Age	53	51
Dwelling Place	Stoke	Washington Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	10 days
Marriage Place	The residence of Henry Ching, Stoke
Folio	03/5817
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 November 1903
Officiating Minister	J. R. Jury, Wesleyan Minister

20 November 1903

Laurence Stuart Evans
Martha Westrupp

Laurence Stuart Evans
Martha Westrupp
💍 1903/6036

Bachelor
Widow

Labourer
Domestic duties

34
43

St. Vincent Street, Nelson
Waimea Street, Nelson

12 months
20 years

The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

03/5800

20 November 1903

S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	75
Date of Notice	20 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Laurence Stuart Evans	Martha Westrupp
	💍 1903/6036
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	34	43
Dwelling Place	St. Vincent Street, Nelson	Waimea Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	12 months	20 years
Marriage Place	The office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	03/5800
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 November 1903
Officiating Minister	S. B. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

26 November 1903

George Gardner Rothwell
Emily Black

George Gardner Rothwell
Emily Clark
💍 1903/6020

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic duties

27
26

Collingwood Street, Nelson
Alone Lane, Nelson

24 years
19 years

All Saints Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

03/5809

26 November 1903

E. C. R. Robison, Church of England Minister

No	76
Date of Notice	26 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Gardner Rothwell	Emily Black
BDM Match (91%)	George Gardner Rothwell	Emily Clark
	💍 1903/6020
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic duties
Age	27	26
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street, Nelson	Alone Lane, Nelson
Length of Residence	24 years	19 years
Marriage Place	All Saints Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	03/5809
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 November 1903
Officiating Minister	E. C. R. Robison, Church of England Minister

30 November 1903

William Fowler
Maudie Ann Silcock

William Fowler
Maudie Ann Silcork
💍 1903/6032

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

24
24

Spring Grove
Richmond

27 years
14 days

The residence of George Silcock, Waimea South

03/5820

30 November 1903

W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	77
Date of Notice	30 November 1903
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Fowler	Maudie Ann Silcock
BDM Match (97%)	William Fowler	Maudie Ann Silcork
	💍 1903/6032
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	24	24
Dwelling Place	Spring Grove	Richmond
Length of Residence	27 years	14 days
Marriage Place	The residence of George Silcock, Waimea South
Folio	03/5820
Consent
Date of Certificate	30 November 1903
Officiating Minister	W. S. Lucas, Church of England 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).