Intentions to Marry, 1908 Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840437, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1908 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay (1908a), Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1908b), and Canterbury, Otago, Chatham Islands (1908c).

Page 702

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 December 1908 Registrar 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

11 November 1908

Arthur Reynolds Griffin
Barbara Ellen Warnock

Arthur Reynolds Griffin
Barbara Ellen Warnock
💍 1908/2668

Bachelor
Spinster

Architect
Household duties

25
23

Ngatitama St. Nelson
173 Tasman St. Nelson

25 years
15 years

The Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

08/7405

11 November 1908

Sidney Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	98
Date of Notice	11 November 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Reynolds Griffin	Barbara Ellen Warnock
	💍 1908/2668
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Architect	Household duties
Age	25	23
Dwelling Place	Ngatitama St. Nelson	173 Tasman St. Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	15 years
Marriage Place	The Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	08/7405
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 November 1908
Officiating Minister	Sidney Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

16 November 1908

Walter Vincent Hanstock
Minnie Louisa Rowell

Walter Vincent Hanslock
Minnie Louisa Rowell
💍 1908/2686

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner
Domestic duties

34
22

The Port Nelson
The Port Nelson

15 months
22 years

Residence of Kate Elizabeth Gabrielsen, Wakefield Quay, Nelson

08/7411

16 November 1908

Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist

No	99
Date of Notice	16 November 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Walter Vincent Hanstock	Minnie Louisa Rowell
BDM Match (98%)	Walter Vincent Hanslock	Minnie Louisa Rowell
	💍 1908/2686
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner	Domestic duties
Age	34	22
Dwelling Place	The Port Nelson	The Port Nelson
Length of Residence	15 months	22 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Kate Elizabeth Gabrielsen, Wakefield Quay, Nelson
Folio	08/7411
Consent
Date of Certificate	16 November 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist

100

19 November 1908

William Thomas Turley
Effie Edith Gertrude Toll

William Thomas Turley
Effie Edith Gertrude Toll
💍 1908/2685

Bachelor
Spinster

Hairdresser
Milliner

29
27

Tory Street Nelson
Selwyn Place Nelson

3 years
15 years

St. John's Church, Hardy Street, Nelson

08/7410

19 November 1908

Rev. C. H. Garland, Methodist

No	100
Date of Notice	19 November 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Thomas Turley	Effie Edith Gertrude Toll
	💍 1908/2685
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Hairdresser	Milliner
Age	29	27
Dwelling Place	Tory Street Nelson	Selwyn Place Nelson
Length of Residence	3 years	15 years
Marriage Place	St. John's Church, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	08/7410
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 November 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. H. Garland, Methodist

101

1 December 1908

Alfred James Palmer
Clara Louisa Nieman

Alfred James Palmer
Clara Louisa Nieman
💍 1908/2661

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

24
24

Hope
Hope

14 days
24 years

Residence of William Nieman, Hope

08/7399

1 December 1908

Rev. T. A. Meyer, Church of England

No	101
Date of Notice	1 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alfred James Palmer	Clara Louisa Nieman
	💍 1908/2661
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	24	24
Dwelling Place	Hope	Hope
Length of Residence	14 days	24 years
Marriage Place	Residence of William Nieman, Hope
Folio	08/7399
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. T. A. Meyer, Church of England

102

12 December 1908

Arthur Stratford
Ethel Frances Merritt

Arthur Stratford
Ethel Frances Merritt
💍 1908/2684

Bachelor
Spinster

Bricklayer
Domestic duties

27
24

Tasman St. Nelson
North Esk St. Nelson

2 years
6 years

St. John's Church, Hardy Street, Nelson

08/7409

12 December 1908

Rev. C. H. Garland, Methodist

No	102
Date of Notice	12 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Stratford	Ethel Frances Merritt
	💍 1908/2684
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bricklayer	Domestic duties
Age	27	24
Dwelling Place	Tasman St. Nelson	North Esk St. Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	6 years
Marriage Place	St. John's Church, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	08/7409
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. H. Garland, Methodist

103

15 December 1908

Grattan William MacShane
Mary Hulme Harris

Grattan William MacShane
Mary Hulme Harris
💍 1908/2660

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk
Household duties

26
28

Bridge Street Nelson
Milton Street Nelson

3 days
25 years

St. Mary's Church, Manuka St., Nelson

08/7398

15 December 1908

Rev. J. D. Clancy, Roman Catholic

No	103
Date of Notice	15 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Grattan William MacShane	Mary Hulme Harris
	💍 1908/2660
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk	Household duties
Age	26	28
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Milton Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	25 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manuka St., Nelson
Folio	08/7398
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. D. Clancy, Roman Catholic

104

15 December 1908

Albert William Grindle
Betsy Adeline Clara Patience Creed

Albert William Grindle
Betsy Adeline Clara Patience Creed
💍 1908/3078

Bachelor
Spinster

Commission Agent
Domestic duties

45
25

Waimea Road Nelson
Nile Street Nelson

4 months
3 1/2 years

Christ Church, Trafalgar St., Nelson

08/7875

15 December 1908

Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England

No	104
Date of Notice	15 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert William Grindle	Betsy Adeline Clara Patience Creed
	💍 1908/3078
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Commission Agent	Domestic duties
Age	45	25
Dwelling Place	Waimea Road Nelson	Nile Street Nelson
Length of Residence	4 months	3 1/2 years
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar St., Nelson
Folio	08/7875
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England

105

17 December 1908

Norman Rule Williams
Janet Inglis Boon

Norman Rule Williams
Janet Inglis Boon
💍 1908/2683

Bachelor
Spinster

Secretary, Education Board
Household duties

23
23

Hardy Street Nelson
Collingwood St.

6 years
23 years

St. John's Church, Hardy Street, Nelson

08/7408

17 December 1908

Rev. C. H. Garland, Methodist

No	105
Date of Notice	17 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Norman Rule Williams	Janet Inglis Boon
	💍 1908/2683
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Secretary, Education Board	Household duties
Age	23	23
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street Nelson	Collingwood St.
Length of Residence	6 years	23 years
Marriage Place	St. John's Church, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	08/7408
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. H. Garland, Methodist

106

19 December 1908

Sydney George Haines
Louisa Coleman

Sydney George Haines
Louisa Coleman
💍 1908/2676

Bachelor
Widow

Waterside Worker
Domestic duties

33
33

Gloucester St. Nelson
Waimea Road Nelson

8 months
33 years

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

08/7406

19 December 1908

Sidney Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	106
Date of Notice	19 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Sydney George Haines	Louisa Coleman
	💍 1908/2676
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Waterside Worker	Domestic duties
Age	33	33
Dwelling Place	Gloucester St. Nelson	Waimea Road Nelson
Length of Residence	8 months	33 years
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	08/7406
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Sidney Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

107

24 December 1908

James Mathew Martin
Mary Kate Simpson

James Mathew Martin
Mary Kate Simpson
💍 1908/3584

Bachelor
Spinster

Sawyer
Draper

30
33

Bridge Street Nelson
Collingwood St.

3 days
3 days

St. Mary's Church, Manuka Street, Nelson

08/8389

24 December 1908

Rev. J. D. Clancy, Roman Catholic

No	107
Date of Notice	24 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Mathew Martin	Mary Kate Simpson
	💍 1908/3584
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sawyer	Draper
Age	30	33
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Collingwood St.
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manuka Street, Nelson
Folio	08/8389
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. D. Clancy, Roman Catholic

108

24 December 1908

Arthur Milton Hebberd
Mabel Isabel Coleman

Arthur Milton Hebberd
Mabel Isabel Coleman
💍 1908/2666

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Nurse

28
27

Suburban North
Richmond

3 days
26 years

Residence of Mrs. Thos Coleman, Richmond

08/7403

24 December 1908

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian

No	108
Date of Notice	24 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Milton Hebberd	Mabel Isabel Coleman
	💍 1908/2666
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Nurse
Age	28	27
Dwelling Place	Suburban North	Richmond
Length of Residence	3 days	26 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mrs. Thos Coleman, Richmond
Folio	08/7403
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian

109

28 December 1908

William Arthur Hall
Annie Elizabeth Jones

William Arthur Hall
Annie Elizabeth Jones
💍 1909/1250

Bachelor
Spinster

School Teacher
Domestic duties

35
26

Waimea West
Grove House, Trafalgar St. N.

35 years
2 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

09/1104

28 December 1908

Rev. W. G. Baker, Church of England

No	109
Date of Notice	28 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Arthur Hall	Annie Elizabeth Jones
	💍 1909/1250
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	School Teacher	Domestic duties
Age	35	26
Dwelling Place	Waimea West	Grove House, Trafalgar St. N.
Length of Residence	35 years	2 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	09/1104
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. G. Baker, Church of England

110

29 December 1908

Norman Walwin Moore
Clara Catherine Lammas

Norman Walviln Moore
Clara Catherine Lammas
💍 1908/2687

Bachelor
Spinster

Contractor
Dressmaker

27
27

Richmond
Richmond

3 days
6 weeks

Baptist Church, Richmond

08/7412

29 December 1908

Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist

No	110
Date of Notice	29 December 1908
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Norman Walwin Moore	Clara Catherine Lammas
BDM Match (95%)	Norman Walviln Moore	Clara Catherine Lammas
	💍 1908/2687
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Contractor	Dressmaker
Age	27	27
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Richmond
Length of Residence	3 days	6 weeks
Marriage Place	Baptist Church, Richmond
Folio	08/7412
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 December 1908
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist

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).