Intentions to Marry, 1913 Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840452, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1913 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki (1913a), Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1913b), and Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Chatham Islands (1913c).

Page 851

District of Nelson Quarter ending 30 September 1913 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

8 September 1913

William Woodward
Margaret Bosher

William Woodward
Margaret Bosher
💍 1913/8609

Bachelor
Widow

Labourer
Housekeeper

40
46

Hardy Street, Nelson
Hardy Street, Nelson

3 days
From England

St. Mary's Church, Manuka Street, Nelson

13/8416

8 September 1913

J. E. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

No	77
Date of Notice	8 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Woodward	Margaret Bosher
	💍 1913/8609
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Labourer	Housekeeper
Age	40	46
Dwelling Place	Hardy Street, Nelson	Hardy Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	From England
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manuka Street, Nelson
Folio	13/8416
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 September 1913
Officiating Minister	J. E. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

9 September 1913

Maurice Henry Otto Bensemann
Christianna Jessop Seymour

Maurice Henry Otto Bensemann
Christianna Jessop Seymour
💍 1913/5145

Bachelor
Spinster

Baker
Domestic duties

21
20

Bridge Street, Nelson
Bridge Street, Nelson

3 years
15 years

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

13/480

William Eagle Seymour, Father

9 September 1913

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	78
Date of Notice	9 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Maurice Henry Otto Bensemann	Christianna Jessop Seymour
	💍 1913/5145
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Baker	Domestic duties
Age	21	20
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Bridge Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 years	15 years
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	13/480
Consent	William Eagle Seymour, Father
Date of Certificate	9 September 1913
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

9 September 1913

Malcolm Clarence Haines
Amy Isobel Heath

Malcolm Clarence Haines
Amy Isabel Heath
💍 1913/5837

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Dressmaker

28
23

Washington Valley, Nelson
Washington Valley, Nelson

3 days
23 years

Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson

13/5519

9 September 1913

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	79
Date of Notice	9 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Malcolm Clarence Haines	Amy Isobel Heath
BDM Match (97%)	Malcolm Clarence Haines	Amy Isabel Heath
	💍 1913/5837
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Dressmaker
Age	28	23
Dwelling Place	Washington Valley, Nelson	Washington Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	23 years
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Church, Nile Street, Nelson
Folio	13/5519
Consent
Date of Certificate	9 September 1913
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

10 September 1913

Albert Everett
Annie Watson

Albert Everett
Annie Watson
💍 1913/5143

Widower
Divorced

Draper
Dressmaker

54
40

Nelson City
Nelson City

54 years
10 years

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

13/4798

10 September 1913

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

No	80
Date of Notice	10 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert Everett	Annie Watson
	💍 1913/5143
Condition	Widower	Divorced
Profession	Draper	Dressmaker
Age	54	40
Dwelling Place	Nelson City	Nelson City
Length of Residence	54 years	10 years
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	13/4798
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 September 1913
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages

13 September 1913

Reginald George Channing Gilbert
Dora Caroline Minnie Clutten

Reginald George Channing Gilbert
Dora Carolias Minnie Clutten
💍 1913/5816

Bachelor
Spinster

Accountant
Dental Mechanic

28
24

Nelson City
Trafalgar Street, Nelson

2 years
7 years

Residence of George Henry Clutten, Trafalgar St., Nelson

13/5524

13 September 1913

J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England

No	81
Date of Notice	13 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Reginald George Channing Gilbert	Dora Caroline Minnie Clutten
BDM Match (96%)	Reginald George Channing Gilbert	Dora Carolias Minnie Clutten
	💍 1913/5816
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Accountant	Dental Mechanic
Age	28	24
Dwelling Place	Nelson City	Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	2 years	7 years
Marriage Place	Residence of George Henry Clutten, Trafalgar St., Nelson
Folio	13/5524
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 September 1913
Officiating Minister	J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England

16 September 1913

Henry Oswald Kite
Sarah MacPherson

Henry Oswoald Kite
Sarah MacPherson
💍 1913/5818

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic

39
36

Bridge Street, Nelson
Halifax Street, Nelson

3 days
3 days

Christ Church, Trafalgar St., Nelson

13/5526

16 September 1913

J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England

No	82
Date of Notice	16 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Henry Oswald Kite	Sarah MacPherson
BDM Match (97%)	Henry Oswoald Kite	Sarah MacPherson
	💍 1913/5818
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic
Age	39	36
Dwelling Place	Bridge Street, Nelson	Halifax Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar St., Nelson
Folio	13/5526
Consent
Date of Certificate	16 September 1913
Officiating Minister	J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England

16 September 1913

William Best
Ella Mildred Frost

William Best
Ella Mildred Frost
💍 1913/8958

Widower
Spinster

Orchardist
Domestic duties

36
27

Stoke, Nelson
Stoke, Nelson

36 years
27 years

All Saints' Church, Vanguard St., Nelson

13/8463

16 September 1913

W. S. Lucas, Church of England

No	83
Date of Notice	16 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Best	Ella Mildred Frost
	💍 1913/8958
Condition	Widower	Spinster
Profession	Orchardist	Domestic duties
Age	36	27
Dwelling Place	Stoke, Nelson	Stoke, Nelson
Length of Residence	36 years	27 years
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard St., Nelson
Folio	13/8463
Consent
Date of Certificate	16 September 1913
Officiating Minister	W. S. Lucas, Church of England

17 September 1913

William Kenneth Brown
Grace Elizabeth Edwards

William Kenneth Brown
Grace Elizabeth Edwards
💍 1913/5141

Bachelor
Spinster

Jeweller
Clerk

20
17

Tasman Street, Nelson
Trafalgar Street, Nelson

20 years
17 years

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

13/4796

George Brown, lawful guardian; Edwin Arthur Edwards, Father

17 September 1913

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	84
Date of Notice	17 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Kenneth Brown	Grace Elizabeth Edwards
	💍 1913/5141
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Jeweller	Clerk
Age	20	17
Dwelling Place	Tasman Street, Nelson	Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	20 years	17 years
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	13/4796
Consent	George Brown, lawful guardian; Edwin Arthur Edwards, Father
Date of Certificate	17 September 1913
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

20 September 1913

John Smith
Ethel May Newport

John Smith
Ethel May Newport
💍 1913/5142

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

26
19

Stoke
Richmond

26 years
19 years

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

13/4797

Thomas Newport, father

20 September 1913

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	85
Date of Notice	20 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Smith	Ethel May Newport
	💍 1913/5142
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	26	19
Dwelling Place	Stoke	Richmond
Length of Residence	26 years	19 years
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	13/4797
Consent	Thomas Newport, father
Date of Certificate	20 September 1913
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

25 September 1913

Herbert Newport
Mabel Eliza Fittall

Herbert Newport
Mabel Eliza Fittall
💍 1913/7830

Bachelor
Spinster

Grocer's Assistant
Lady Help

30
31

Richmond
Richmond

30 years
31 years

Baptist Church, Richmond

13/7622

25 September 1913

W. S. Lambert, Baptist Minister

No	86
Date of Notice	25 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Herbert Newport	Mabel Eliza Fittall
	💍 1913/7830
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Grocer's Assistant	Lady Help
Age	30	31
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Richmond
Length of Residence	30 years	31 years
Marriage Place	Baptist Church, Richmond
Folio	13/7622
Consent
Date of Certificate	25 September 1913
Officiating Minister	W. S. Lambert, Baptist Minister

27 September 1913

Charles David Hansen
Norah Smith

Charles David Hansen
Norah Smith
💍 1913/5835

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer
Domestic

32
26

Washington Valley, Nelson
Parere Street, Nelson

32 years
12 months

Residence of W. E. Lambert, Wainui Street, Nelson

13/5517

27 September 1913

W. E. Lambert, Baptist Minister

No	87
Date of Notice	27 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles David Hansen	Norah Smith
	💍 1913/5835
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer	Domestic
Age	32	26
Dwelling Place	Washington Valley, Nelson	Parere Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	32 years	12 months
Marriage Place	Residence of W. E. Lambert, Wainui Street, Nelson
Folio	13/5517
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 September 1913
Officiating Minister	W. E. Lambert, Baptist Minister

27 September 1913

John William Peter Martin
Grace Evelyn Dodson

John William Peter Martin
Grace Evelyn Dodson
💍 1913/8544

Bachelor
Spinster

Tailor
Domestic duties

28
28

Nile Street, Nelson
Atawhai, Nelson

28 years
28 years

St. Peter's Church, Atawhai, Wakapuaka

13/7639

27 September 1913

J. F. Taylor, Church of England

No	88
Date of Notice	27 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John William Peter Martin	Grace Evelyn Dodson
	💍 1913/8544
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Tailor	Domestic duties
Age	28	28
Dwelling Place	Nile Street, Nelson	Atawhai, Nelson
Length of Residence	28 years	28 years
Marriage Place	St. Peter's Church, Atawhai, Wakapuaka
Folio	13/7639
Consent
Date of Certificate	27 September 1913
Officiating Minister	J. F. Taylor, Church of England

29 September 1913

Herbert Bateup
Edna Pearl Haycock

Herbert Bateup
Edna Pearl Haycock
💍 1913/7823

Bachelor
Spinster

Blacksmith
Domestic duties

23
25

Richmond
Hope

23 years
25 years

Methodist Church, Hope

13/7636

29 September 1913

C. Eaton, Methodist Minister

No	89
Date of Notice	29 September 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Herbert Bateup	Edna Pearl Haycock
	💍 1913/7823
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Blacksmith	Domestic duties
Age	23	25
Dwelling Place	Richmond	Hope
Length of Residence	23 years	25 years
Marriage Place	Methodist Church, Hope
Folio	13/7636
Consent
Date of Certificate	29 September 1913
Officiating Minister	C. Eaton, Methodist 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).