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 685

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 1907 Registrar S. Sidney 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

13 August 1907

Norman Brown
Robina Liddle

Norman Brown
Robina Liddle
💍 1907/5569

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Shop-assistant

29
21

Naimea Street, Nelson
Naimea Street, Nelson

3 days
8 years

Presbyterian Church

07/5203

13 August 1907

Jas H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	77
Date of Notice	13 August 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Norman Brown	Robina Liddle
	💍 1907/5569
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Shop-assistant
Age	29	21
Dwelling Place	Naimea Street, Nelson	Naimea Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	8 years
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Church
Folio	07/5203
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 August 1907
Officiating Minister	Jas H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

26 August 1907

William John Nesbitt
Elsie Muriel Jubilee Miller

William John Nesbitt
Elsie Muriel Jubilee Miller
💍 1907/5563

Bachelor
Spinster

Driver
Waitress

21
20

Grove Street, Nelson
Bridge Street, Nelson

21 years
8 months

Residence of John Nesbitt, Grove Street

07/5397

John J. Miller, father

26 August 1907

S. H. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

No	78
Date of Notice	26 August 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William John Nesbitt	Elsie Muriel Jubilee Miller
	💍 1907/5563
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Driver	Waitress
Age	21	20
Dwelling Place	Grove Street, Nelson	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	8 months
Marriage Place	Residence of John Nesbitt, Grove Street
Folio	07/5397
Consent	John J. Miller, father
Date of Certificate	26 August 1907
Officiating Minister	S. H. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

29 August 1907

Harry Montague Murton
Agnes Haylor

Harry Montague Murton
Agnes Naylor
💍 1907/3855

Bachelor
Spinster

Manufacturer
Household duties

25
28

Cathedral Square, Nelson
Cathedral Square, Nelson

3 days
2 months

Christ's Church

07/5386

29 August 1907

J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	79
Date of Notice	29 August 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harry Montague Murton	Agnes Haylor
BDM Match (96%)	Harry Montague Murton	Agnes Naylor
	💍 1907/3855
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Manufacturer	Household duties
Age	25	28
Dwelling Place	Cathedral Square, Nelson	Cathedral Square, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	2 months
Marriage Place	Christ's Church
Folio	07/5386
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 August 1907
Officiating Minister	J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

2 September 1907

James Alfred Orams
Margaret Ann Vercoe

James Alfred Orams
Margaret Ann Vergurson
💍 1907/5566

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk
Domestic duties

28
21

Hardy Street, Nelson
Grove Street, Nelson

5 days
11 days

St. John's Church

07/5400

2 September 1907

C. H. Garland, Wesleyan Minister

No	80
Date of Notice	2 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Alfred Orams	Margaret Ann Vercoe
BDM Match (89%)	James Alfred Orams	Margaret Ann Vergurson
	💍 1907/5566
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk	Domestic duties
Age	28	21
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Grove Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	5 days	11 days
Marriage Place	St. John's Church
Folio	07/5400
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 September 1907
Officiating Minister	C. H. Garland, Wesleyan Minister

3 September 1907

George Frederick Stone
Elsie Lee Coombs

George Frederick Stone
Elsie Lee Coombs
💍 1907/5565

Bachelor
Spinster

Ironmonger

41
24

Hardy Street, Nelson
Halifax Street, Nelson

3 days
28 years

Residence of George Flemming, Nelson

07/5399

3 September 1907

Jos. J. Franklyn, Minister Church of Christ

No	81
Date of Notice	3 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Frederick Stone	Elsie Lee Coombs
	💍 1907/5565
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Ironmonger
Age	41	24
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Halifax Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	28 years
Marriage Place	Residence of George Flemming, Nelson
Folio	07/5399
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 September 1907
Officiating Minister	Jos. J. Franklyn, Minister Church of Christ

14 September 1907

John Sherbrooke
Emily Florence Mellett

John Sherbrooke
Emily Florence Mellett
💍 1907/3864

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant
Household duties

22
22

Collingwood Street, Nelson
Naimea Road, Nelson

14 days
22 years

Residence of George Mellett, Tahuna

07/5394

14 September 1907

H. H. Baker, Church of England Minister

No	82
Date of Notice	14 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Sherbrooke	Emily Florence Mellett
	💍 1907/3864
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant	Household duties
Age	22	22
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street, Nelson	Naimea Road, Nelson
Length of Residence	14 days	22 years
Marriage Place	Residence of George Mellett, Tahuna
Folio	07/5394
Consent
Date of Certificate	14 September 1907
Officiating Minister	H. H. Baker, Church of England Minister

17 September 1907

Henry Stebbings
Winifred Mary Tanner

Henry Stebbings
Winifred Mary Tanner
💍 1907/3854

Bachelor
Spinster

Draper
Draper

39
26

Richmond

3 weeks

Residence of George Amos Trace, Palmerston North

07/5385

17 September 1907

S. H. D. Peryman, Methodist Minister

No	83
Date of Notice	17 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Stebbings	Winifred Mary Tanner
	💍 1907/3854
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Draper	Draper
Age	39	26
Dwelling Place		Richmond
Length of Residence		3 weeks
Marriage Place	Residence of George Amos Trace, Palmerston North
Folio	07/5385
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 September 1907
Officiating Minister	S. H. D. Peryman, Methodist Minister

21 September 1907

Henry Miller
Mary Kathleen Lindman

Henry Millar
Mary Kathleen Lindman
💍 1907/5741

Bachelor
Spinster

Monumental Mason
Domestic duties

27
30

Collingwood Street, Nelson
Collingwood Street, Nelson

20 years
20 years

Residence of John McDowell

07/5738

21 September 1907

J. D. Claney, Roman Catholic Priest

No	84
Date of Notice	21 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Miller	Mary Kathleen Lindman
BDM Match (96%)	Henry Millar	Mary Kathleen Lindman
	💍 1907/5741
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Monumental Mason	Domestic duties
Age	27	30
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street, Nelson	Collingwood Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Residence of John McDowell
Folio	07/5738
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 September 1907
Officiating Minister	J. D. Claney, Roman Catholic Priest

21 September 1907

Philip Woodward Aydon
Amy Caldwell

Phillip Woodward Aydon
Amy Caldwell
💍 1907/5742

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

25
22

Bridge Street, Nelson
Trafalgar Street, Nelson

8 years
2 years

Residence of Archibald Aydon, Nelson

07/5739

21 September 1907

P. J. Smyth, Roman Catholic Priest

No	85
Date of Notice	21 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Philip Woodward Aydon	Amy Caldwell
BDM Match (98%)	Phillip Woodward Aydon	Amy Caldwell
	💍 1907/5742
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	25	22
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	8 years	2 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Archibald Aydon, Nelson
Folio	07/5739
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 September 1907
Officiating Minister	P. J. Smyth, Roman Catholic Priest

23 September 1907

George Edward Taylor
Agnes Cooper

George Edward Taylor
Agnes Cooper
💍 1907/5740

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
Domestic duties

29
26

Hardy Street, Nelson
Naimea Street, Nelson

3 days
32 years

Residence of Richard Clarence Stone, Nelson

07/5737

23 September 1907

J. D. Claney, Roman Catholic Priest

No	86
Date of Notice	23 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Edward Taylor	Agnes Cooper
	💍 1907/5740
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	Domestic duties
Age	29	26
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Naimea Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	32 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Richard Clarence Stone, Nelson
Folio	07/5737
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 September 1907
Officiating Minister	J. D. Claney, Roman Catholic Priest

23 September 1907

Frank Ernest Gaze
Ellen Mitchell

Frank Ernest Gaze
Ellen Mitchell
💍 1907/5548

Bachelor
Spinster

Bootmaker
Domestic duties

31
26

Collingwood Street, Nelson
Vanguard Street, Nelson

9 years
3 years

Residence of [illegible] Gaze, Nelson

07/5404

23 September 1907

Jas H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	87
Date of Notice	23 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frank Ernest Gaze	Ellen Mitchell
	💍 1907/5548
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bootmaker	Domestic duties
Age	31	26
Dwelling Place	Collingwood Street, Nelson	Vanguard Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	9 years	3 years
Marriage Place	Residence of [illegible] Gaze, Nelson
Folio	07/5404
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 September 1907
Officiating Minister	Jas H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

25 September 1907

Alfred Branch
Margaret Phyllis Gardiner Godfrey

Alfred Branch
Margaret Phyllis Caroline Godfrey
💍 1907/5549

Bachelor
Spinster

Miner
Domestic duties

33
19

Tasman Street, Nelson
Tasman Street, Nelson

3 weeks
5 weeks

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

07/5205

Francis Robert Godfrey, father

25 September 1907

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	88
Date of Notice	25 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred Branch	Margaret Phyllis Gardiner Godfrey
BDM Match (94%)	Alfred Branch	Margaret Phyllis Caroline Godfrey
	💍 1907/5549
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Miner	Domestic duties
Age	33	19
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Tasman Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 weeks	5 weeks
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	07/5205
Consent	Francis Robert Godfrey, father
Date of Certificate	25 September 1907
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

25 September 1907

Thomas Henry Clare
Agnes Ellen Carter

Thomas Henry Clare
Agnes Ellen Carter
💍 1907/6470

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

22
27

Hardy Street, Nelson
Collingwood Street, Nelson

1 year 10 months
27 years

Residence of Alfred Henry Carter, Harley Street, Nelson

07/7232

25 September 1907

C. H. Garland, Methodist Minister

No	89
Date of Notice	25 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Thomas Henry Clare	Agnes Ellen Carter
	💍 1907/6470
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	22	27
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Collingwood Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	1 year 10 months	27 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Alfred Henry Carter, Harley Street, Nelson
Folio	07/7232
Consent
Date of Certificate	25 September 1907
Officiating Minister	C. H. Garland, Methodist Minister

27 September 1907

Robert John Hay
Eveline Sarah Heath

Robert John Hay
Eveline Sarah Heath
💍 1907/7478

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner
Domestic duties

29
26

Russell Street, Nelson or S.S. Waverley
Russell Street, Nelson

26 years
26 years

Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson

07/7209

27 September 1907

J. H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	90
Date of Notice	27 September 1907
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert John Hay	Eveline Sarah Heath
	💍 1907/7478
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner	Domestic duties
Age	29	26
Dwelling Place	Russell Street, Nelson or S.S. Waverley	Russell Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	26 years	26 years
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson
Folio	07/7209
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 September 1907
Officiating Minister	J. H. MacKenzie, Presbyterian 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).