Intentions to Marry, 1909 Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840440, 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 680

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 June 1909 Registrar Gilbert Rutherford Selby

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 April 1909

John Albin Ahlstrom
Ethel Lyea Frost

John Albert Ahlstrom
Ethel Leah Frost
💍 1909/3671

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic duties

32
28

Waimea Road Nelson
Franklyn Street Nelson

nearly 2 yrs
28 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

09/4968

1 April 1909

Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	18
Date of Notice	1 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Albin Ahlstrom	Ethel Lyea Frost
BDM Match (86%)	John Albert Ahlstrom	Ethel Leah Frost
	💍 1909/3671
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic duties
Age	32	28
Dwelling Place	Waimea Road Nelson	Franklyn Street Nelson
Length of Residence	nearly 2 yrs	28 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	09/4968
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

3 April 1909

John Blake Hunter
Edith Jane Boldero

John Blake Hunter
Edith Jane Boldero
💍 1909/3677

Widower
Widow

Compositor
Domestic duties

55
42

Hampden Street Nelson
Hampden Street Nelson

10 days
2 years

Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

09/4974

3 April 1909

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	19
Date of Notice	3 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Blake Hunter	Edith Jane Boldero
	💍 1909/3677
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Compositor	Domestic duties
Age	55	42
Dwelling Place	Hampden Street Nelson	Hampden Street Nelson
Length of Residence	10 days	2 years
Marriage Place	Office of Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	09/4974
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 April 1909
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

8 April 1909

Francis William Herring
Hannah Jane Dane

Francis William Herring
Hannah Jane Dane
💍 1909/1742

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Household duties

25
18

Richmond
Richmond

2 months
18 years

Residence of Henry Edward Dane, Richmond

09/2917

Henry Edward Dane, Father

8 April 1909

Rev. S. H. D. Peryman, Methodist Minister

No	20
Date of Notice	8 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Francis William Herring	Hannah Jane Dane
	💍 1909/1742
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Household duties
Age	25	18
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Richmond
Length of Residence	2 months	18 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Henry Edward Dane, Richmond
Folio	09/2917
Consent	Henry Edward Dane, Father
Date of Certificate	8 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. S. H. D. Peryman, Methodist Minister

9 April 1909

John Adolphus Brunell
Sarah Maria Stafford Webley

John Adolphus Brunell
Sarah Maria Stafford Webley
💍 1909/1771

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

30
19

Harper Street Nelson
Alton Street Nelson

3 days
19 years

Residence of Mrs. Sarah Maria Webley, Alton Street, Nelson

09/2923

Sarah Maria Webley, Mother

9 April 1909

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	21
Date of Notice	9 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Adolphus Brunell	Sarah Maria Stafford Webley
	💍 1909/1771
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	30	19
Dwelling Place	Harper Street Nelson	Alton Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	19 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mrs. Sarah Maria Webley, Alton Street, Nelson
Folio	09/2923
Consent	Sarah Maria Webley, Mother
Date of Certificate	9 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

10 April 1909

William Sullivan
Florence Mabel Cross

William Sullivan
Florence Mabel Delia Cross
💍 1909/1743

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

25
25

Vanguard Street Nelson
Vanguard Street Nelson

3 days
2 months

Residence of Mrs. Martha Cross, Vanguard Street, Nelson

09/2918

10 April 1909

Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

No	22
Date of Notice	10 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Sullivan	Florence Mabel Cross
BDM Match (88%)	William Sullivan	Florence Mabel Delia Cross
	💍 1909/1743
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	25	25
Dwelling Place	Vanguard Street Nelson	Vanguard Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	2 months
Marriage Place	Residence of Mrs. Martha Cross, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	09/2918
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

13 April 1909

Robert Harold Oughton
Hazel Minnie Estcourt

Robert Harold Oughton
Hazel Minnie Estenert
💍 1909/1773

Bachelor
Spinster

Bricklayer
Domestic duties

24
18

Grove Street Nelson
Grove Street Nelson

3 days
18 years

Residence of Mr. William Edwin Estcourt, Grove Street, Nelson

09/2925

William Edwin Estcourt, Father

13 April 1909

Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

No	23
Date of Notice	13 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Harold Oughton	Hazel Minnie Estcourt
BDM Match (93%)	Robert Harold Oughton	Hazel Minnie Estenert
	💍 1909/1773
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bricklayer	Domestic duties
Age	24	18
Dwelling Place	Grove Street Nelson	Grove Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	18 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr. William Edwin Estcourt, Grove Street, Nelson
Folio	09/2925
Consent	William Edwin Estcourt, Father
Date of Certificate	13 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

13 April 1909

William John George Hartill
Elizabeth Annie McGavin

William John George Hartill
Elizabeth Annie McGavin
💍 1909/1744

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
School Teacher

29
31

Bridge Street Nelson
St. John Street Nelson

4 days
31 years

Congregational Church, Hardy Street, Nelson

09/2919

13 April 1909

Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

No	24
Date of Notice	13 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William John George Hartill	Elizabeth Annie McGavin
	💍 1909/1744
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	School Teacher
Age	29	31
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	St. John Street Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	31 years
Marriage Place	Congregational Church, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	09/2919
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

13 April 1909

Walter Henry Chaytor
Fredrica Mary Stafford

Walter Henry Chaytor
Fredrica Mary Stafford
💍 1909/1752

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

34
22

Wakapuaka Nelson
Wakapuaka Nelson

3 days
5 days

St. Peter's Church, Wakapuaka, Nelson

09/2920

13 April 1909

Rev. G. O. Mules D.D., Bishop of Nelson

No	25
Date of Notice	13 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Walter Henry Chaytor	Fredrica Mary Stafford
	💍 1909/1752
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	34	22
Dwelling Place	Wakapuaka Nelson	Wakapuaka Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	5 days
Marriage Place	St. Peter's Church, Wakapuaka, Nelson
Folio	09/2920
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. G. O. Mules D.D., Bishop of Nelson

15 April 1909

William Dines McBride
Charlotte East

William Denis McBirch
Charlotte East
💍 1909/3673

Bachelor
Spinster

Ship's Steward
Domestic duties

36
33

S.S. Wairoa, The Port, Nelson
Cambria Street Nelson

33 years

Residence of Mr. John Webley, Milton Street, Nelson

09/4970

15 April 1909

Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	26
Date of Notice	15 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Dines McBride	Charlotte East
BDM Match (86%)	William Denis McBirch	Charlotte East
	💍 1909/3673
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Ship's Steward	Domestic duties
Age	36	33
Dwelling Place	S.S. Wairoa, The Port, Nelson	Cambria Street Nelson
Length of Residence		33 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr. John Webley, Milton Street, Nelson
Folio	09/4970
Consent
Date of Certificate	15 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

16 April 1909

Henry Joseph Murphy
Maud Shone

Henry Joseph Murphy
Maud Shone
💍 1909/3651

Bachelor
Spinster

Factory hand
Teacher of Music

24
28

Haven Road Nelson
Nile Street West Nelson

2 years
4 years

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Manuka Street, Nelson

09/4947

16 April 1909

Rev. John Clancey, Roman Catholic Priest

No	27
Date of Notice	16 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Joseph Murphy	Maud Shone
	💍 1909/3651
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Factory hand	Teacher of Music
Age	24	28
Dwelling Place	Haven Road Nelson	Nile Street West Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	4 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Manuka Street, Nelson
Folio	09/4947
Consent
Date of Certificate	16 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Clancey, Roman Catholic Priest

19 April 1909

Angus Neil McLeod
Florice Ridd Kitching

Angus Neil McLeod
Florence Richeh Kitchening
💍 1909/3674

Bachelor
Spinster

Mariner
Domestic duties

23
23

Harper Street Nelson
Nile Street East Nelson

11 months
14 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

09/4971

19 April 1909

Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	28
Date of Notice	19 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Angus Neil McLeod	Florice Ridd Kitching
BDM Match (85%)	Angus Neil McLeod	Florence Richeh Kitchening
	💍 1909/3674
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mariner	Domestic duties
Age	23	23
Dwelling Place	Harper Street Nelson	Nile Street East Nelson
Length of Residence	11 months	14 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	09/4971
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

21 April 1909

James Buckland
Eleanor Mabel Goodman

James Buckland
Eleanor Mabel Goodman
💍 1909/1770

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter
Domestic duties

24
23

Bridge Street Nelson
Tasman Street Nelson

2 years
7 years

Residence of Mr. Robert Neal, Tasman Street, Nelson

09/2922

21 April 1909

Rev. John J. Lewis, Methodist Minister

No	29
Date of Notice	21 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Buckland	Eleanor Mabel Goodman
	💍 1909/1770
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter	Domestic duties
Age	24	23
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Tasman Street Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	7 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr. Robert Neal, Tasman Street, Nelson
Folio	09/2922
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. John J. Lewis, Methodist Minister

24 April 1909

Arthur Sydney Hounsell
Annie Magdalen Thompson

Arthur Sydney Hounsell
Annie Magdalen Thompson
💍 1909/3652

Bachelor
Spinster

Engine Driver
Domestic duties

25
21

The Port Nelson
Bridge Street Nelson

5 days
3 days

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

09/4948

24 April 1909

Rev. John D. Clancey, Roman Catholic Priest

No	30
Date of Notice	24 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Sydney Hounsell	Annie Magdalen Thompson
	💍 1909/3652
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Engine Driver	Domestic duties
Age	25	21
Dwelling Place	The Port Nelson	Bridge Street Nelson
Length of Residence	5 days	3 days
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Catholic Church, Manuka Street, Nelson
Folio	09/4948
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. John D. Clancey, Roman Catholic Priest

28 April 1909

William James Palmer Autridge
Edith Katheline Flanagan

William James Palmer Antriddge
Edith Katherine Flanagan
💍 1909/3675

Bachelor
Spinster

Carter
Domestic duties

26
27

Bridge Street Nelson
Washington Valley Nelson

3 days
5 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

09/4972

28 April 1909

Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	31
Date of Notice	28 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William James Palmer Autridge	Edith Katheline Flanagan
BDM Match (95%)	William James Palmer Antriddge	Edith Katherine Flanagan
	💍 1909/3675
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carter	Domestic duties
Age	26	27
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street Nelson	Washington Valley Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	5 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	09/4972
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

28 April 1909

Edmund Harold Greager
Amy Wood

Edmund Harold Greager
Amy Wood
💍 1909/1774

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

35
25

Halifax Street Nelson
Halifax Street Nelson

3 days
25 years

The Baptist Church, Bridge Street, Nelson

09/2926

28 April 1909

Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

No	32
Date of Notice	28 April 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edmund Harold Greager	Amy Wood
	💍 1909/1774
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	35	25
Dwelling Place	Halifax Street Nelson	Halifax Street Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	25 years
Marriage Place	The Baptist Church, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	09/2926
Consent
Date of Certificate	28 April 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist 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).

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).