Intentions to Marry, 1909 Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840439, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1909 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay (1909a), Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1909b), and Canterbury, Otago, Chatham Islands (1909c).

Page 902

District of Napier Quarter ending 31 March 1909 Registrar George Thomas Cross

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

4 January 1909

Stephen Bishop
Isabel Peterson, M.N. Bethune

Stephen Bishop
Isabel Peterson
💍 1909/1155

Widower
Widow

Slaughterman
Hospital Nurse

33
37

Napier
Napier

3 weeks
3 weeks

Residence of F.W. Campbell, Napier

09/1050

4 January 1909

Rev. J. A. Asher

No	1
Date of Notice	4 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Stephen Bishop	Isabel Peterson, M.N. Bethune
BDM Match (76%)	Stephen Bishop	Isabel Peterson
	💍 1909/1155
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Slaughterman	Hospital Nurse
Age	33	37
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	3 weeks	3 weeks
Marriage Place	Residence of F.W. Campbell, Napier
Folio	09/1050
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. A. Asher

6 January 1909

Albert James Adams
Mary Kennedy Fletcher

Albert James Adams
Mary Kennedy Fletcher
💍 1909/1088

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Cook

26
24

Napier
Napier

18 months
3 days

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier

09/992

6 January 1909

Registrar of Marriages

No	2
Date of Notice	6 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert James Adams	Mary Kennedy Fletcher
	💍 1909/1088
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Cook
Age	26	24
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	18 months	3 days
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier
Folio	09/992
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages

7 January 1909

James David William O'Connor
Elsie May Watkins

James David William McConnon
Elsie May Watkins
💍 1909/1130

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

26
19

Napier
Napier

2 months
8 days

Methodist Parsonage, Napier

09/987

Father by his mark

7 January 1909

Rev. A. C. Lawry

No	3
Date of Notice	7 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James David William O'Connor	Elsie May Watkins
BDM Match (95%)	James David William McConnon	Elsie May Watkins
	💍 1909/1130
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	26	19
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	2 months	8 days
Marriage Place	Methodist Parsonage, Napier
Folio	09/987
Consent	Father by his mark
Date of Certificate	7 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. A. C. Lawry

8 January 1909

Patrick Andrew Carroll
Lillian Maud Gillies

Patrick Arthur Carroll
Lilian Maud Gillies
💍 1909/1156

Bachelor
Spinster

Shepherd
Domestic Servant

27
31

Napier
Napier

3 days
3 weeks

St. Paul's Church, Napier

09/1051

8 January 1909

Rev. J. A. Asher

No	4
Date of Notice	8 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Patrick Andrew Carroll	Lillian Maud Gillies
BDM Match (86%)	Patrick Arthur Carroll	Lilian Maud Gillies
	💍 1909/1156
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Shepherd	Domestic Servant
Age	27	31
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	3 days	3 weeks
Marriage Place	St. Paul's Church, Napier
Folio	09/1051
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. A. Asher

8 January 1909

Frederick Ansel Tiffen
Edith Althea Bernice Blake

Frederick Ansel Tiffen
Edith Althea Bernice Blake
💍 1909/1087

Bachelor
Spinster

Sheepfarmer
Clerk

36
21

Napier
Napier

3 days
3 days

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier

09/991

8 January 1909

Registrar of Marriages

No	5
Date of Notice	8 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick Ansel Tiffen	Edith Althea Bernice Blake
	💍 1909/1087
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Sheepfarmer	Clerk
Age	36	21
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier
Folio	09/991
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages

11 January 1909

Frederick William Martin
Elizabeth Reid

Frederick William Martin
Elizabeth Reid
💍 1909/1157

Bachelor
Spinster

School Teacher
School Teacher

23
32

Napier
Napier

3 days
3 months

Residence of Bride's Parents, Napier

09/1052

11 January 1909

Rev. J. A. Asher

No	6
Date of Notice	11 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick William Martin	Elizabeth Reid
	💍 1909/1157
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	School Teacher	School Teacher
Age	23	32
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	3 days	3 months
Marriage Place	Residence of Bride's Parents, Napier
Folio	09/1052
Consent
Date of Certificate	11 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. A. Asher

14 January 1909

Walter Scott
Mary Josephine Petersen

Walter Scott
Mary Josephine Petersen
💍 1909/1104

Bachelor
Spinster

Telegraphist
Milliner

44
39

Napier
Napier

20 months
18 months

St. Patrick's Church, Napier

09/1023

Father J. Goggan

14 January 1909

Father J. Goggan

No	7
Date of Notice	14 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Walter Scott	Mary Josephine Petersen
	💍 1909/1104
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Telegraphist	Milliner
Age	44	39
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	20 months	18 months
Marriage Place	St. Patrick's Church, Napier
Folio	09/1023
Consent	Father J. Goggan
Date of Certificate	14 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Father J. Goggan

20 January 1909

John Hunt
Violet Beaufoy Steven

John Hunt
Violet Beaufer Steven
💍 1909/1158

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher
Domestic duties

32
21

Paki Paki
Napier

20 months
6 days

Presbyterian Manse, Hastings

09/1033

20 January 1909

Rev. J. A. Asher

No	8
Date of Notice	20 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Hunt	Violet Beaufoy Steven
BDM Match (95%)	John Hunt	Violet Beaufer Steven
	💍 1909/1158
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher	Domestic duties
Age	32	21
Dwelling Place	Paki Paki	Napier
Length of Residence	20 months	6 days
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Manse, Hastings
Folio	09/1033
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. A. Asher

23 January 1909

Seymour Augustus Page
Margaret Morgan

Seymour Augustus Page
Margaret Morgan
💍 1909/1086

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic duties

22
19

Westshore
Westshore

18 years
2 years

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier

09/990

J. W. Morgan, Father

23 January 1909

Registrar of Marriages

No	9
Date of Notice	23 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Seymour Augustus Page	Margaret Morgan
	💍 1909/1086
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic duties
Age	22	19
Dwelling Place	Westshore	Westshore
Length of Residence	18 years	2 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier
Folio	09/990
Consent	J. W. Morgan, Father
Date of Certificate	23 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages

25 January 1909

George Henry White
Mary Louise Mahoney

George Henry White
Mary Louise Mahoney
💍 1909/1105

Bachelor
Spinster

Bread driver
General Servant

26
27

Napier
Napier

5 months
5 months

St. Patrick's Church, Napier

09/1024

Father J. Goggan

25 January 1909

Father J. Goggan

No	10
Date of Notice	25 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Henry White	Mary Louise Mahoney
	💍 1909/1105
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bread driver	General Servant
Age	26	27
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	5 months	5 months
Marriage Place	St. Patrick's Church, Napier
Folio	09/1024
Consent	Father J. Goggan
Date of Certificate	25 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Father J. Goggan

28 January 1909

Morris Owen Williams
Florence Harriet Rowe

Morris Owen Williams
Florence Harriet Rowe
💍 1909/7744

Bachelor
Spinster

Barman
Barmaid

30
26

Napier
Napier

2 years
14 years

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier

09/989

28 January 1909

Registrar of Marriages

No	11
Date of Notice	28 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Morris Owen Williams	Florence Harriet Rowe
	💍 1909/7744
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Barman	Barmaid
Age	30	26
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	2 years	14 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier
Folio	09/989
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages

28 January 1909

Robert Rhodes
Helen Elizabeth Crimp

Robert Rhodes
Helen Elizabeth Crimp
💍 1909/1128

Bachelor
Spinster

Fellmonger
Domestic duties

35
34

Westshore
Westshore

10 years
15 years

Wesleyan Church, Westshore

09/980

28 January 1909

Rev. A. C. Lawry

No	12
Date of Notice	28 January 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Rhodes	Helen Elizabeth Crimp
	💍 1909/1128
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Fellmonger	Domestic duties
Age	35	34
Dwelling Place	Westshore	Westshore
Length of Residence	10 years	15 years
Marriage Place	Wesleyan Church, Westshore
Folio	09/980
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 January 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. A. C. Lawry

1 February 1909

James Christopher Buchanan
Agnes Eva M. Whinnie M.N. Wallefield

James Christopher Buchanan
Agnes Eva McWhinnie
💍 1909/4987

Bachelor
Divorcee

Fencer
Cook

33
33

Napier
Napier

20 years
6 years

Residence of W. George Brown, Napier

09/647

1 February 1909

Rev. J. W. Hayward

No	13
Date of Notice	1 February 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Christopher Buchanan	Agnes Eva M. Whinnie M.N. Wallefield
BDM Match (75%)	James Christopher Buchanan	Agnes Eva McWhinnie
	💍 1909/4987
Condition	Bachelor	Divorcee
Profession	Fencer	Cook
Age	33	33
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	20 years	6 years
Marriage Place	Residence of W. George Brown, Napier
Folio	09/647
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. W. Hayward

5 February 1909

Norman McKinnon
Elizabeth Cantwell

Norman McKinnon
Elizabeth Cantwell
💍 1909/3166

Widower
Spinster

Sheepfarmer

38
20

Napier
Napier

1 week
10 days

St. John's Cathedral, Napier

09/4396

Father

5 February 1909

Canon F. Mayne

No	14
Date of Notice	5 February 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Norman McKinnon	Elizabeth Cantwell
	💍 1909/3166
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Sheepfarmer
Age	38	20
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	1 week	10 days
Marriage Place	St. John's Cathedral, Napier
Folio	09/4396
Consent	Father
Date of Certificate	5 February 1909
Officiating Minister	Canon F. Mayne

8 February 1909

William Harris
Veronica Bridget Catherine Henry

William Harris
Veronica Bridget Catherine Henry
💍 1909/1085

Bachelor
Spinster

Telegraph Lineman
Housekeeper

23
21

Napier
Napier

17 years
19 years

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier

09/988

8 February 1909

Registrar of Marriages

No	15
Date of Notice	8 February 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Harris	Veronica Bridget Catherine Henry
	💍 1909/1085
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Telegraph Lineman	Housekeeper
Age	23	21
Dwelling Place	Napier	Napier
Length of Residence	17 years	19 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Napier
Folio	09/988
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 February 1909
Officiating Minister	Registrar of Marriages

8 February 1909

David Hardie Elliott
Agnes Bowden

David Hardie Elliot
Agnes Bowden
💍 1909/1166

Bachelor
Spinster

Shepherd
Dressmaker

31
32

Waiwhenua
West Clive

12 months
3 weeks

Residence of A. Ferguson, Napier

09/1054

8 February 1909

Rev. J. A. Asher

No	16
Date of Notice	8 February 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	David Hardie Elliott	Agnes Bowden
BDM Match (98%)	David Hardie Elliot	Agnes Bowden
	💍 1909/1166
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Shepherd	Dressmaker
Age	31	32
Dwelling Place	Waiwhenua	West Clive
Length of Residence	12 months	3 weeks
Marriage Place	Residence of A. Ferguson, Napier
Folio	09/1054
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 February 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. A. Asher

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).

Primary digitisation of registers between 1855 and 1925 is now complete. Our digitisation volunteers are now working on verifying the currently digitised pages against printed district/page indexes, to identify pages which may have been missed or out of focus. These pages can be re-imaged as required.

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.

How can I help?

You can sign up to correct errors in the transcribed records and match ITMs with registered marriages.

You can also support this project by ☕ Buying us a coffee 🌳

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).