Intentions to Marry, 1911 Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840446, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1911 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki, (1911a), Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1911b), and Canterbury, Otago, Chatham Islands (1911c).

Page 846

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 June 1911 Registrar S. 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

7 April 1911

George Henry Thomas
Amy Thomas

George Henry Thomas
Amy Thomas
💍 1911/525

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

31
24

Hardy Street, Nelson
Hardy Street, Nelson

3 days
3 days

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

11/2011

7 April 1911

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	17
Date of Notice	7 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Henry Thomas	Amy Thomas
	💍 1911/525
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	31	24
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Hardy Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	11/2011
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 April 1911
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

7 April 1911

John Thomas Blundell
Lilian Sylvia Armena Batchelor

John Thomas Blundell
Lilian Sylvie Armena Batchelor
💍 1911/6154

Bachelor
Spinster

Wood & Coal Dealer
Clerk

35
36

Nile St. West, Nelson
Halifax St., Nelson

6 months
36 years

Residence of David Jack, Church Street, Nelson

11/6094

7 April 1911

W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	18
Date of Notice	7 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Thomas Blundell	Lilian Sylvia Armena Batchelor
BDM Match (98%)	John Thomas Blundell	Lilian Sylvie Armena Batchelor
	💍 1911/6154
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Wood & Coal Dealer	Clerk
Age	35	36
Dwelling Place	Nile St. West, Nelson	Halifax St., Nelson
Length of Residence	6 months	36 years
Marriage Place	Residence of David Jack, Church Street, Nelson
Folio	11/6094
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 April 1911
Officiating Minister	W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

10 April 1911

Gordon Field
Dorothy Lewis

Gordon Field
Dorothy Lewis
💍 1911/3758

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
School Teacher

26
27

Hope, Nelson
Collingwood

4 weeks
4 weeks

Residence of Mr. Edward Lewis, Hope, Nelson

11/3439

10 April 1911

Mr. Hubert Powell, The Brethren

No	19
Date of Notice	10 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Gordon Field	Dorothy Lewis
	💍 1911/3758
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	School Teacher
Age	26	27
Dwelling Place	Hope, Nelson	Collingwood
Length of Residence	4 weeks	4 weeks
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr. Edward Lewis, Hope, Nelson
Folio	11/3439
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Mr. Hubert Powell, The Brethren

10 April 1911

Arthur Walter Jennings
Ethel Elizabeth Fuller

Arthur Walter Jennings
Ethel Elizabeth Fuller
💍 1911/4037

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

30
29

Wakapuaka, Nelson
Collingwood St., Nelson

2 years
6 months

Holy Trinity Church, Richmond

11/3818

10 April 1911

Rev. A. J. Carr, Church of England Minister

No	20
Date of Notice	10 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Walter Jennings	Ethel Elizabeth Fuller
	💍 1911/4037
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	30	29
Dwelling Place	Wakapuaka, Nelson	Collingwood St., Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	6 months
Marriage Place	Holy Trinity Church, Richmond
Folio	11/3818
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. A. J. Carr, Church of England Minister

13 April 1911

Gilbert Andrew McGavin
Florence May Gribble

Gilbert Andrew McGavin
Florence May Gribble
💍 1911/3785

Bachelor
Spinster

Railway Fireman
Domestic duties

27
25

St. John Street, Nelson
Franklyn Street, Nelson

4 months
25 years

Residence of Mr. Arthur Kenning, Franklyn St., Nelson

11/3482

13 April 1911

Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

No	21
Date of Notice	13 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Gilbert Andrew McGavin	Florence May Gribble
	💍 1911/3785
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Railway Fireman	Domestic duties
Age	27	25
Dwelling Place	St. John Street, Nelson	Franklyn Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	4 months	25 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr. Arthur Kenning, Franklyn St., Nelson
Folio	11/3482
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. B. L. Thomas, Congregational Minister

13 April 1911

William George Dayman
Ida Elizabeth Bishop

William George Dayman
Ida Elizabeth Bishop
💍 1911/3729

Bachelor
Spinster

Shop Assistant
Shop Assistant

27
20

Gisborne
Grove Street, Nelson

6 months

Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson

11/3410

William Joseph Bishop, Father

13 April 1911

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

No	22
Date of Notice	13 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William George Dayman	Ida Elizabeth Bishop
	💍 1911/3729
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Shop Assistant	Shop Assistant
Age	27	20
Dwelling Place	Gisborne	Grove Street, Nelson
Length of Residence		6 months
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	11/3410
Consent	William Joseph Bishop, Father
Date of Certificate	13 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

15 April 1911

Bernard Thomas Osborne
Emily Leonora Sheldon

Bernard Thomas Osborne
Emily Leonora Sheldon
💍 1911/4038

Bachelor
Spinster

Leatherworker
Saleswoman

28
32

Wellington
Stoke, Nelson

3 days

St. Barnabas Church, Stoke, Nelson

11/3819

13 April 1911

Rev. A. J. Carr, Church of England Minister

No	23
Date of Notice	15 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Bernard Thomas Osborne	Emily Leonora Sheldon
	💍 1911/4038
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Leatherworker	Saleswoman
Age	28	32
Dwelling Place	Wellington	Stoke, Nelson
Length of Residence		3 days
Marriage Place	St. Barnabas Church, Stoke, Nelson
Folio	11/3819
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. A. J. Carr, Church of England Minister

17 April 1911

John Francis Bell
Mylrea Elizabeth Muncaster

John Francis Bell
Mylrea Elizabeth Muncaster
💍 1911/3987

Bachelor
Spinster

Joiner
Clerk

27
28

Harper Street, Nelson
Harper Street, Nelson

3 days
5 months

St. John's Methodist Church, Hardy Street, Nelson

11/3718

17 April 1911

Rev. John Crump, Methodist Minister

No	24
Date of Notice	17 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Francis Bell	Mylrea Elizabeth Muncaster
	💍 1911/3987
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Joiner	Clerk
Age	27	28
Dwelling Place	Harper Street, Nelson	Harper Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	5 months
Marriage Place	St. John's Methodist Church, Hardy Street, Nelson
Folio	11/3718
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. John Crump, Methodist Minister

19 April 1911

James Herbert Drummond
Edith Amelia Collins

James Herbert Drummond
Edith Amelia Collins
💍 1911/4010

Widower
Spinster

Sheep Farmer
Domestic duties

40
30

Bridge Street, Nelson
Haven Road, Nelson

3 days
12 years

Residence of Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Nile St., Nelson

11/3741

19 April 1911

James H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	25
Date of Notice	19 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Herbert Drummond	Edith Amelia Collins
	💍 1911/4010
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Sheep Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	40	30
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Haven Road, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	12 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Rev. J. H. Mackenzie, Nile St., Nelson
Folio	11/3741
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 April 1911
Officiating Minister	James H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

19 April 1911

Francis Haddow Bethwaite
Dulcie Laetitia Andrews

Francis Haddow Bethwaite
Dulcie Letitia Andrews
💍 1911/6155

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant
Domestic duties

26
23

Vanguard Street, Nelson
Cambria Street, Nelson

26 years
18 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

11/6095

19 April 1911

W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	26
Date of Notice	19 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Francis Haddow Bethwaite	Dulcie Laetitia Andrews
BDM Match (98%)	Francis Haddow Bethwaite	Dulcie Letitia Andrews
	💍 1911/6155
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant	Domestic duties
Age	26	23
Dwelling Place	Vanguard Street, Nelson	Cambria Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	26 years	18 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	11/6095
Consent
Date of Certificate	19 April 1911
Officiating Minister	W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

21 April 1911

Vernon Waring Walker
Cecilia Eleanor Burn

Vernon Waring Walker
Cecilia Eleanor Burn
💍 1911/3967

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic duties

22
25

Stoke, Nelson
Richmond, Nelson

22 years
25 years

The Baptist Church, Bridge Street, Nelson

11/3672

21 April 1911

Rev. W. C. Lambert, Baptist Minister

No	27
Date of Notice	21 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Vernon Waring Walker	Cecilia Eleanor Burn
	💍 1911/3967
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	22	25
Dwelling Place	Stoke, Nelson	Richmond, Nelson
Length of Residence	22 years	25 years
Marriage Place	The Baptist Church, Bridge Street, Nelson
Folio	11/3672
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. C. Lambert, Baptist Minister

24 April 1911

Samuel Charles Barnett
Mildred Duncan

Samuel Charles Barnett
Mildred Duncan
💍 1911/526

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

24
21

Bridge Street, Nelson
Bridge Street, Nelson

6 days
4 days

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

11/2012

24 April 1911

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	28
Date of Notice	24 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Samuel Charles Barnett	Mildred Duncan
	💍 1911/526
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	24	21
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	6 days	4 days
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	11/2012
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 April 1911
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

24 April 1911

Patrick Joyce
Helen Agnes O'Gorman

Patrick Joyce
Helen Agnes O'Gorman
💍 1911/3766

Bachelor
Spinster

Road Overseer
Domestic duties

36
28

Hardy Street, Nelson
Hardy Street, Nelson

3 days
4 days

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

11/3471

24 April 1911

Rev. W. D. Goggan, Roman Catholic Priest

No	29
Date of Notice	24 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Patrick Joyce	Helen Agnes O'Gorman
	💍 1911/3766
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Road Overseer	Domestic duties
Age	36	28
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Hardy Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	4 days
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Manuka St., Nelson
Folio	11/3471
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. D. Goggan, Roman Catholic Priest

26 April 1911

Charles William Jordan
Lena Sophia Sigglekow

Charles William Jordan
Lena Sophia Sigglekow
💍 1911/527

Bachelor
Widow

Labourer
Domestic duties

58
51

Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Church Street, Nelson

3 days
18 months

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

11/2013

26 April 1911

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	30
Date of Notice	26 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles William Jordan	Lena Sophia Sigglekow
	💍 1911/527
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	58	51
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar Street, Nelson	Church Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	18 months
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	11/2013
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 April 1911
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

27 April 1911

Edward Allnatt
Ella Myrtle Ancell

Edward Allnatt
Ella Myrtle Ancell
💍 1911/6156

Bachelor
Spinster

Clerk
Household duties

33
27

Alton Street, Nelson
Grove Street, Nelson

8 years
27 years

Residence of Florence Amelia Ancell, Grove Street, Nelson

11/6096

27 April 1911

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

No	31
Date of Notice	27 April 1911
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Edward Allnatt	Ella Myrtle Ancell
	💍 1911/6156
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Clerk	Household duties
Age	33	27
Dwelling Place	Alton Street, Nelson	Grove Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	8 years	27 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Florence Amelia Ancell, Grove Street, Nelson
Folio	11/6096
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 April 1911
Officiating Minister	Rev. W. S. Lucas, 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).