Intentions to Marry, 1910 Canterbury, Otago, Chatham Islands

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840444, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1910 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay (1910a), Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1910b), and Canterbury, Otago, Chatham Islands (1910c).

Page 036

District of Christchurch Quarter ending 31 March 1910 Registrar Lyonel Charles Williams

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

31 January 1910

John Joseph Smith
Sarah Jane Cheqwin

John Joseph Smith
Sarah Jane Chequin
💍 1910/1496

Bachelor
Widow

Fruitgrower

35
41

Spraydon
Sydaham

3 years
10 years

House of Mrs Oliver, 47 Hawdon St., Sydaham

10/1470

31 January 1910

Rev. L. Hudson, Methodist

No	78
Date of Notice	31 January 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Joseph Smith	Sarah Jane Cheqwin
BDM Match (97%)	John Joseph Smith	Sarah Jane Chequin
	💍 1910/1496
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Fruitgrower
Age	35	41
Dwelling Place	Spraydon	Sydaham
Length of Residence	3 years	10 years
Marriage Place	House of Mrs Oliver, 47 Hawdon St., Sydaham
Folio	10/1470
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 January 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. L. Hudson, Methodist

31 January 1910

Harry Edwin Newson Robbins
Elizabeth Violet Amy Aherne

Harry Edwin Newson Robbins
Elizabeth Violet Amy Aherne
💍 1910/1329

Widower
Spinster

Manufacturer

44
36

Linwood
St. Albans

Life
20 years

St. Mary's Church, Merivale

10/1389

31 January 1910

Rev. C. N. Gosset, Anglican

No	79
Date of Notice	31 January 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Harry Edwin Newson Robbins	Elizabeth Violet Amy Aherne
	💍 1910/1329
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Manufacturer
Age	44	36
Dwelling Place	Linwood	St. Albans
Length of Residence	Life	20 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Merivale
Folio	10/1389
Consent
Date of Certificate	31 January 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. N. Gosset, Anglican

1 February 1910

John Paynter
Mary Jane Maultsaid

John Paynter
Mary Jane Maultsaid
💍 1910/1292

Ralph Paynter
Gladys Isabel Maultsaid
💍 1910/3016

Widower
Widow

Gentleman
Nurse

65
51

Sydaham
Sydaham

4 days
30 years

Registrar's Office, Christchurch

10/1321

1 February 1910

L. C. Williams, Registrar

No	80
Date of Notice	1 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Paynter	Mary Jane Maultsaid
	💍 1910/1292
BDM Match (63%)	Ralph Paynter	Gladys Isabel Maultsaid
	💍 1910/3016
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Gentleman	Nurse
Age	65	51
Dwelling Place	Sydaham	Sydaham
Length of Residence	4 days	30 years
Marriage Place	Registrar's Office, Christchurch
Folio	10/1321
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1910
Officiating Minister	L. C. Williams, Registrar

1 February 1910

John Commons
Florence Mary Lowe

John Commons
Florence Mary Lowe
💍 1910/5456

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk

25
31

Sydaham
St. Albans

3 years
3 years

St. Mary's Church, Manchester St., Christchurch

10/5677

1 February 1910

Rev. N. Moloney, Romanist

No	81
Date of Notice	1 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Commons	Florence Mary Lowe
	💍 1910/5456
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk
Age	25	31
Dwelling Place	Sydaham	St. Albans
Length of Residence	3 years	3 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manchester St., Christchurch
Folio	10/5677
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. N. Moloney, Romanist

1 February 1910

Peter Ronald Reddington
Sarah Agatha Madden

Peter Ronald Reddington
Sarah Agatha Madden
💍 1910/1464

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter

27
26

Sydaham
Spart

10 years
10 years

Roman Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch

10/1449

1 February 1910

Rev. J. Kennedy, Romanist

No	82
Date of Notice	1 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Peter Ronald Reddington	Sarah Agatha Madden
	💍 1910/1464
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter
Age	27	26
Dwelling Place	Sydaham	Spart
Length of Residence	10 years	10 years
Marriage Place	Roman Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch
Folio	10/1449
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. Kennedy, Romanist

1 February 1910

Benjamin John Barr
Ethel Maude Rachel Stephens

Benjamin John Barr
Ethel Maude Rachel Stephens
💍 1910/1331

Bachelor
Spinster

Railway Employee

26
24

Sydenham
Christchurch

5 years
8 years

St. Luke's Church, Christchurch

10/1390

1 February 1910

Rev. W. W. Sedgwick, Anglican

No	83
Date of Notice	1 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Benjamin John Barr	Ethel Maude Rachel Stephens
	💍 1910/1331
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Railway Employee
Age	26	24
Dwelling Place	Sydenham	Christchurch
Length of Residence	5 years	8 years
Marriage Place	St. Luke's Church, Christchurch
Folio	10/1390
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. W. Sedgwick, Anglican

1 February 1910

Lloyd Lovekin Lord
Adeline Mary Victoria Campbell

Lloyd Lovekin Lord
Adeline Mary Victoria Campbell
💍 1910/1305

Bachelor
Spinster

Agent

26
26

Christchurch
Greymouth

3 days
5 years

St. Mary's Church, Merivale, Greymouth

10/1357

1 February 1910

Rev. C. H. Gosset, Anglican

No	84
Date of Notice	1 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Lloyd Lovekin Lord	Adeline Mary Victoria Campbell
	💍 1910/1305
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Agent
Age	26	26
Dwelling Place	Christchurch	Greymouth
Length of Residence	3 days	5 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Merivale, Greymouth
Folio	10/1357
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. H. Gosset, Anglican

1 February 1910

William Clifford Rogers
Ada Elizabeth Hunt

William Clifford Rogers
Ada Elizabeth Hunt
💍 1910/1497

Bachelor
Spinster

Waiter

21
25

Christchurch
Christchurch

Life
1 year

Methodist Mission Hall, Durham St., Christchurch

10/1471

1 February 1910

Rev. N. Turner, Methodist

No	85
Date of Notice	1 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Clifford Rogers	Ada Elizabeth Hunt
	💍 1910/1497
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Waiter
Age	21	25
Dwelling Place	Christchurch	Christchurch
Length of Residence	Life	1 year
Marriage Place	Methodist Mission Hall, Durham St., Christchurch
Folio	10/1471
Consent
Date of Certificate	1 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. N. Turner, Methodist

2 February 1910

Alexander Wotherspoon
Ethel May Fry

Alexander Wotherspoon
Ethel May Fry
💍 1910/8120

Bachelor
Spinster

Traveller

26
23

Christchurch
Christchurch

4 days
23 years

St. Michael's Church, Christchurch

10/1391

2 February 1910

Rev. C. A. Fraer, Anglican

No	86
Date of Notice	2 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alexander Wotherspoon	Ethel May Fry
	💍 1910/8120
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Traveller
Age	26	23
Dwelling Place	Christchurch	Christchurch
Length of Residence	4 days	23 years
Marriage Place	St. Michael's Church, Christchurch
Folio	10/1391
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. C. A. Fraer, Anglican

2 February 1910

John George Mills
Agnes Josephine Daley

John George Wills
Agnes Josephine Daley
💍 1910/5457

Bachelor
Spinster

Barman
Cook

38
30

Linwood
Linwood

4 years
2 years

St. Mary's Church, Manchester St., Christchurch

10/5698

2 February 1910

Rev. R. Hoare, Romanist

No	87
Date of Notice	2 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John George Mills	Agnes Josephine Daley
BDM Match (97%)	John George Wills	Agnes Josephine Daley
	💍 1910/5457
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Barman	Cook
Age	38	30
Dwelling Place	Linwood	Linwood
Length of Residence	4 years	2 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manchester St., Christchurch
Folio	10/5698
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. R. Hoare, Romanist

2 February 1910

Leonard Arthur Gusworth
Margaret Reid

Leonard Arthur Cusworth
Margaret Reid
💍 1910/1465

Bachelor
Spinster

Music Teacher

26
25

Sydaham
Sydaham

4 years
3 years

Roman Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch

10/1450

2 February 1910

Rev. J. Paice, Romanist

No	88
Date of Notice	2 February 1910
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Leonard Arthur Gusworth	Margaret Reid
BDM Match (98%)	Leonard Arthur Cusworth	Margaret Reid
	💍 1910/1465
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Music Teacher
Age	26	25
Dwelling Place	Sydaham	Sydaham
Length of Residence	4 years	3 years
Marriage Place	Roman Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch
Folio	10/1450
Consent
Date of Certificate	2 February 1910
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. Paice, Romanist

These records have been automatically transcribed and must be verified using the page image (below)

100% Contrast

100% Brightness

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).