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 684

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 December 1909 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

6 October 1909

Eliott Clifton Fry
Minnie Eliza Best

Eliott Clifton Fry
Minnie Eliza Best
💍 1909/5716

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

25
24

Stoke
Stoke

3 days
24 years

The Residence of George Best, Stoke

09/7067

6 October 1909

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

No	71
Date of Notice	6 October 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Eliott Clifton Fry	Minnie Eliza Best
	💍 1909/5716
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	25	24
Dwelling Place	Stoke	Stoke
Length of Residence	3 days	24 years
Marriage Place	The Residence of George Best, Stoke
Folio	09/7067
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 October 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. S. H. D. Peryman, Methodist Minister

6 October 1909

Wi Te Arei Waaka
Kata Kawharu

Wi Waaka
Kata Kawharu
💍 1909/8212

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Land Owner

26
22

D'Urville Island
D'Urville Island

25 years
22 years

Public Hall, Whangarae, Croisilles

09/7071

6 October 1909

Rev. Thos. S. Grace, Church of England Minister

No	72
Date of Notice	6 October 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Wi Te Arei Waaka	Kata Kawharu
BDM Match (75%)	Wi Waaka	Kata Kawharu
	💍 1909/8212
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Land Owner
Age	26	22
Dwelling Place	D'Urville Island	D'Urville Island
Length of Residence	25 years	22 years
Marriage Place	Public Hall, Whangarae, Croisilles
Folio	09/7071
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 October 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. Thos. S. Grace, Church of England Minister

8 October 1909

Claud Egerton Tatton
Julia Lena Coster

Claud Egerton Tatton
Julia Lena Coster
💍 1909/5719

Bachelor
Spinster

Dental Surgeon

23
23

Palmerston North
Cambria Street, Nelson

6 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

09/7070

8 October 1909

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

No	73
Date of Notice	8 October 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Claud Egerton Tatton	Julia Lena Coster
	💍 1909/5719
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Dental Surgeon
Age	23	23
Dwelling Place	Palmerston North	Cambria Street, Nelson
Length of Residence		6 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7070
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 October 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

8 October 1909

Ernest Benjamin Fleming
Clara Ada Hall

Ernest Benjamin Fleming
Clara Ada Hall
💍 1909/5706

Bachelor
Spinster

Furniture Manufacturer
Milliner

42
38

Grove Street, Nelson
Nile Street East, Nelson

42 years
5 days

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nile Street East, Nelson

09/7057

8 October 1909

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	74
Date of Notice	8 October 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Ernest Benjamin Fleming	Clara Ada Hall
	💍 1909/5706
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Furniture Manufacturer	Milliner
Age	42	38
Dwelling Place	Grove Street, Nelson	Nile Street East, Nelson
Length of Residence	42 years	5 days
Marriage Place	Trinity Presbyterian Church, Nile Street East, Nelson
Folio	09/7057
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 October 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

13 October 1909

Henry Chynoweth Cock
Mabel Glasgow

Henry Chynoweth Cock
Mabel Glasgow
💍 1909/5726

Bachelor
Spinster

Merchant

25
27

Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Bronte Street, Nelson

25 years
27 years

Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson

09/7053

13 October 1909

Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	75
Date of Notice	13 October 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Chynoweth Cock	Mabel Glasgow
	💍 1909/5726
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Merchant
Age	25	27
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar Street, Nelson	Bronte Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	27 years
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7053
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 October 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

27 October 1909

Frederick Hill
Evelyn Newton Easdale

Frederick Hill
Evelyn Newton Easdale
💍 1909/5707

Bachelor
Spinster

Ironmonger
Dressmaker

30
28

St. Vincent Street, Nelson
Harley Street, Nelson

30 years
28 years

Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson

09/7058

27 October 1909

Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

No	76
Date of Notice	27 October 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick Hill	Evelyn Newton Easdale
	💍 1909/5707
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Ironmonger	Dressmaker
Age	30	28
Dwelling Place	St. Vincent Street, Nelson	Harley Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	30 years	28 years
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7058
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 October 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

1 November 1909

Sydney Webley
Matilda Grooby

Sydney Webley
Matilda Grooby
💍 1909/5714

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter
Domestic duties

27
25

Nile Street East, Nelson
Nile Street East, Nelson

27 years
2 years

The Residence of Mr. John Hart Webley, Nile Street East, Nelson

09/7065

1 November 1909

Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

No	77
Date of Notice	1 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Sydney Webley	Matilda Grooby
	💍 1909/5714
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter	Domestic duties
Age	27	25
Dwelling Place	Nile Street East, Nelson	Nile Street East, Nelson
Length of Residence	27 years	2 years
Marriage Place	The Residence of Mr. John Hart Webley, Nile Street East, Nelson
Folio	09/7065
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley W. Jenkin, Baptist Minister

1 November 1909

Charles Watter Young
Esther Alberta Nicholls

Charles Walter Young
Esther Alberta Nicholls
💍 1909/5715

Bachelor
Spinster

Plumber
Domestic duties

27
23

Brook Street, Nelson
Waimea Street, Nelson

27 years
12 years

Baptist Church, Bridge Street, Nelson

09/7066

1 November 1909

Rev. Stanley Jenkin, Baptist Minister

No	78
Date of Notice	1 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Watter Young	Esther Alberta Nicholls
BDM Match (98%)	Charles Walter Young	Esther Alberta Nicholls
	💍 1909/5715
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Plumber	Domestic duties
Age	27	23
Dwelling Place	Brook Street, Nelson	Waimea Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	27 years	12 years
Marriage Place	Baptist Church, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7066
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. Stanley Jenkin, Baptist Minister

1 November 1909

Francis Thomas Silcock
Lilian Elsie Iris Winearls Brown

Francis Thomas Silcock
Lilian Elsie Iris Winearls Brown
💍 1909/5709

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
Shop Assistant

27
26

Hope, Nelson
Alton Street, Nelson

3 days
26 years

The Residence of Mr. Harry Atmore, Alton Street, Nelson

09/7060

1 November 1909

Rev. James H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	79
Date of Notice	1 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Francis Thomas Silcock	Lilian Elsie Iris Winearls Brown
	💍 1909/5709
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	Shop Assistant
Age	27	26
Dwelling Place	Hope, Nelson	Alton Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	26 years
Marriage Place	The Residence of Mr. Harry Atmore, Alton Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7060
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. James H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

2 November 1909

Albert Edward Davies
Bertha Muriel Lucre

Albert Edward Davies
Bertha Muriel Lucre
💍 1909/8213

Bachelor
Spinster

Mechanic
Domestic duties

30
26

Washington Valley, Nelson
Washington Valley, Nelson

6 years
26 years

Congregational Church, Hardy Street, Nelson

09/7080

2 November 1909

Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

No	80
Date of Notice	2 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert Edward Davies	Bertha Muriel Lucre
	💍 1909/8213
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mechanic	Domestic duties
Age	30	26
Dwelling Place	Washington Valley, Nelson	Washington Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	6 years	26 years
Marriage Place	Congregational Church, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7080
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

3 November 1909

Rainsford Henry Neal
Eva May Carlson

Rainsford Henry Neal
Eva May Carlson
💍 1909/8231

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

25
23

Tasman Street, Nelson
Bronte Street, Nelson

25 years
5 years

Residence of Robert Neal, Tasman Street, Nelson

09/7074

3 November 1909

Rev. J. J. Lewis, Methodist Minister

No	81
Date of Notice	3 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Rainsford Henry Neal	Eva May Carlson
	💍 1909/8231
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	25	23
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Bronte Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	25 years	5 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Robert Neal, Tasman Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7074
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. J. Lewis, Methodist Minister

3 November 1909

Donald Bruce
Louisa Brown

Donald Bruce
Louisa Brown
💍 1909/5708

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

23
22

Washington Valley, Nelson
Brook Street, Nelson

23 years
22 years

The Residence of Mr. Alfred Bruce, Washington Valley, Nelson

09/7059

3 November 1909

Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	82
Date of Notice	3 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Donald Bruce	Louisa Brown
	💍 1909/5708
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	23	22
Dwelling Place	Washington Valley, Nelson	Brook Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	23 years	22 years
Marriage Place	The Residence of Mr. Alfred Bruce, Washington Valley, Nelson
Folio	09/7059
Consent
Date of Certificate	3 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

5 November 1909

Francis Stone
Isabella McKay

Francis Stone
Isabella McKay
💍 1909/5724

Widower
Spinster

Contractor
Domestic duties

54
38

Grove Street, Nelson
Ngatitama Street, Nelson

17 years
17 years

The Residence of Mr. John Grimmett, Ngatitama Street, Nelson

09/7051

5 November 1909

Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	83
Date of Notice	5 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Francis Stone	Isabella McKay
	💍 1909/5724
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Contractor	Domestic duties
Age	54	38
Dwelling Place	Grove Street, Nelson	Ngatitama Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	17 years	17 years
Marriage Place	The Residence of Mr. John Grimmett, Ngatitama Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7051
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

7 November 1909

Ernest Henry Day
Nellie Banham Tyson

Ernest Henry Day
Nellie Banham Tyson
💍 1909/8233

Bachelor
Spinster

Master Mariner

26
24

S. S. 'Alexander'
166 Waimea Street, Nelson

3 days

The Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

09/7076

7 November 1909

The Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	84
Date of Notice	7 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Ernest Henry Day	Nellie Banham Tyson
	💍 1909/8233
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Master Mariner
Age	26	24
Dwelling Place	S. S. 'Alexander'	166 Waimea Street, Nelson
Length of Residence		3 days
Marriage Place	The Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	09/7076
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 November 1909
Officiating Minister	The Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

10 November 1909

Gilbert Graham Bodgins
Ivy Muriel Webb

Gilbert Graham Hodgkins
Ivy Muriel Webb
💍 1909/5723

Widower
Spinster

Civil Servant

33
29

Nelson
Nelson

3 days
5 weeks

Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson

09/7050

10 November 1909

Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	85
Date of Notice	10 November 1909
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Gilbert Graham Bodgins	Ivy Muriel Webb
BDM Match (96%)	Gilbert Graham Hodgkins	Ivy Muriel Webb
	💍 1909/5723
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Civil Servant
Age	33	29
Dwelling Place	Nelson	Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	5 weeks
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	09/7050
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 November 1909
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England 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 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).