Intentions to Marry, 1907 Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840434, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1907 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay (1907a), Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1907b), and Canterbury, Otago, Chatham Islands (1907c).

Page 561

District of Wairau Quarter ending 31 March 1907 Registrar Henry Arthur Jackman

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

2 January 1907

John Drake
Alice Stretch

John Drake
Alice Stretch
💍 1907/941

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

20
26

Kekerangu
Kekerangu

8 months
5 months

Schoolhouse, Kekerangu

07/1013

Mrs Simpson mother

2 January 1907

Rev. W. McAra

No	1
Date of Notice	2 January 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Drake	Alice Stretch
	💍 1907/941
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	20	26
Dwelling Place	Kekerangu	Kekerangu
Length of Residence	8 months	5 months
Marriage Place	Schoolhouse, Kekerangu
Folio	07/1013
Consent	Mrs Simpson mother
Date of Certificate	2 January 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. McAra

2 January 1907

Andrew David Blythe
Mabel Sowman

Andrew David Blythe
Mabel Sowman
💍 1907/940

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

21
24

Blenheim
Blenheim

5 years
24 years

Registrars Office, Blenheim

07/1011

2 January 1907

Mr. H. Jackman

No	2
Date of Notice	2 January 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Andrew David Blythe	Mabel Sowman
	💍 1907/940
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	21	24
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	5 years	24 years
Marriage Place	Registrars Office, Blenheim
Folio	07/1011
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 January 1907
Officiating Minister	Mr. H. Jackman

26 January 1907

George Simpson
Bessie Hosking

George Simpson
Bessie Hosking
💍 1907/900

Bachelor
Spinster

Engine driver

24
29

Blenheim
Marshlands

12 months
16 months

Mrs. A. Gibsons residence, Marshlands

07/995

26 January 1907

Rev C. Penney

No	3
Date of Notice	26 January 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Simpson	Bessie Hosking
	💍 1907/900
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engine driver
Age	24	29
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Marshlands
Length of Residence	12 months	16 months
Marriage Place	Mrs. A. Gibsons residence, Marshlands
Folio	07/995
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 January 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev C. Penney

26 January 1907

Edward Roberts
Sarah Jane Trueman

Edward Roberts
Sarah Jane Trueman
💍 1907/907

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

25
28

Blind River
Blind River

16 months
28 years

Mr. R. Trueman's residence, Blind River

07/1001

26 January 1907

Rev H. W. Howell

No	4
Date of Notice	26 January 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Roberts	Sarah Jane Trueman
	💍 1907/907
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	25	28
Dwelling Place	Blind River	Blind River
Length of Residence	16 months	28 years
Marriage Place	Mr. R. Trueman's residence, Blind River
Folio	07/1001
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 January 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev H. W. Howell

28 January 1907

Horace Henry Richard Baker
Caroline Ellen Law

Horace Henry Richard Baker
Caroline Ellen Law
💍 1907/899

Bachelor
Spinster

Cabinetmaker

27
23

Blenheim
Springlands

3 days
23 years

Wesleyan Church, Blenheim

07/994

28 January 1907

Rev C. Penney

No	5
Date of Notice	28 January 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Horace Henry Richard Baker	Caroline Ellen Law
	💍 1907/899
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Cabinetmaker
Age	27	23
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Springlands
Length of Residence	3 days	23 years
Marriage Place	Wesleyan Church, Blenheim
Folio	07/994
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 January 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev C. Penney

31 January 1907

John George Patchett
Elizabeth Ellen Houldsworth

John George Patchett
Elizabeth Ellen Houldsworth
💍 1907/1839

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

27
25

Blenheim
Blenheim

27 years
25 years

Roman Catholic Church, Blenheim

07/1935

31 January 1907

Rev C. O. Reilly

No	6
Date of Notice	31 January 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John George Patchett	Elizabeth Ellen Houldsworth
	💍 1907/1839
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	27	25
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	27 years	25 years
Marriage Place	Roman Catholic Church, Blenheim
Folio	07/1935
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 January 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev C. O. Reilly

1 February 1907

John Richards
Lucy Maud Arnold

John Richards
Lucy Maud Arnold
💍 1907/898

Bachelor
Spinster

Clergyman

34
29

Renwicktown
Okaramio

2 years
2 weeks

Presbyterian Church, Renwicktown

07/993

1 February 1907

Rev T. R. Richards

No	7
Date of Notice	1 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Richards	Lucy Maud Arnold
	💍 1907/898
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clergyman
Age	34	29
Dwelling Place	Renwicktown	Okaramio
Length of Residence	2 years	2 weeks
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Church, Renwicktown
Folio	07/993
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev T. R. Richards

1 February 1907

William Robert Fairweather
Ethel Mason

William Robert Fairweather
Ethel Mason
💍 1907/908

Bachelor
Spinster

Engineer

27
27

Blenheim
Blenheim

27 years
6 years

Church of England, Blenheim

07/1002

1 February 1907

Arch T. S. Grace

No	8
Date of Notice	1 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Robert Fairweather	Ethel Mason
	💍 1907/908
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engineer
Age	27	27
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	27 years	6 years
Marriage Place	Church of England, Blenheim
Folio	07/1002
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Arch T. S. Grace

4 February 1907

William Henry Humphreys
Bessie Howard

William Henry Humphreys
Bessie Howard
💍 1907/909

William Henry Duckworth
Jessie Louisa Howard
💍 1907/1111

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk

25
30

Blenheim
Blenheim

9 years
30 years

Church of England, Blenheim

07/1003

4 February 1907

Arch T. S. Grace

No	9
Date of Notice	4 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Henry Humphreys	Bessie Howard
	💍 1907/909
BDM Match (63%)	William Henry Duckworth	Jessie Louisa Howard
	💍 1907/1111
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk
Age	25	30
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	9 years	30 years
Marriage Place	Church of England, Blenheim
Folio	07/1003
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Arch T. S. Grace

4 February 1907

Charles Frederick William Day
Ella Selina Terrill

Charles Frederick William Day
Ella Selina Terrill
💍 1907/917

Divorced
Spinster

Commission Agent

32
22

Blenheim
Blenheim

4 years
22 years

Panama House, Blenheim

07/1004

4 February 1907

Arch T. S. Grace

No	10
Date of Notice	4 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Frederick William Day	Ella Selina Terrill
	💍 1907/917
Condition	Divorced	Spinster
Profession	Commission Agent
Age	32	22
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	4 years	22 years
Marriage Place	Panama House, Blenheim
Folio	07/1004
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Arch T. S. Grace

5 February 1907

Anthony Maher
Nora Helena O'Brien

Anthony Maher
Nora Helena O'Brien
💍 1907/4859

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

36
27

Kaituna
Kaituna

36 years
9 years

Mr. J. Maher's residence, Kaituna

07/4299

5 February 1907

Rev P. Fay

No	11
Date of Notice	5 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Anthony Maher	Nora Helena O'Brien
	💍 1907/4859
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	36	27
Dwelling Place	Kaituna	Kaituna
Length of Residence	36 years	9 years
Marriage Place	Mr. J. Maher's residence, Kaituna
Folio	07/4299
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev P. Fay

12 February 1907

Charles Napier Fisk
Catherine Mary Foster

Charles Napier Fisk
Catherine Mary Foster
💍 1907/928

Bachelor
Spinster

Storeman

26
29

Blenheim
Blenheim

26 years
29 years

Church of England, Blenheim

07/1005

12 February 1907

Arch T. S. Grace

No	12
Date of Notice	12 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Napier Fisk	Catherine Mary Foster
	💍 1907/928
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Storeman
Age	26	29
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	26 years	29 years
Marriage Place	Church of England, Blenheim
Folio	07/1005
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Arch T. S. Grace

14 February 1907

John Green
Mary Frances Jane Booker

John Green
Mary Frances Jane Booker
💍 1907/918

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

21
18

Blenheim
Blenheim

1 year
18 years

Registrar's Office, Blenheim

07/1012

Mr. I. Booker (Father)

14 February 1907

Mr. H. Jackman

No	13
Date of Notice	14 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Green	Mary Frances Jane Booker
	💍 1907/918
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	21	18
Dwelling Place	Blenheim	Blenheim
Length of Residence	1 year	18 years
Marriage Place	Registrar's Office, Blenheim
Folio	07/1012
Consent	Mr. I. Booker (Father)
Date of Certificate	14 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Mr. H. Jackman

18 February 1907

Albert Henry Neal
Clara Allport

Albert Henry Neal
Clara Allport
💍 1907/939

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

22
20

Spring Creek
Tuamarina

22 years
20 years

Mr. T. Allport's residence, Tuamarina

07/1010

Mr. T. Allport (Father)

18 February 1907

Rev W. Wollstein

No	14
Date of Notice	18 February 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert Henry Neal	Clara Allport
	💍 1907/939
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	22	20
Dwelling Place	Spring Creek	Tuamarina
Length of Residence	22 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Mr. T. Allport's residence, Tuamarina
Folio	07/1010
Consent	Mr. T. Allport (Father)
Date of Certificate	18 February 1907
Officiating Minister	Rev W. Wollstein

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).