Intentions to Marry, 1913 Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Chatham Islands

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840453, 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 852

District of Gore Quarter ending 31 December 1913 Registrar George Brett

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

4 October 1913

Albert Green
Martha Nyatt

Albert Green
Martha Wyatt
💍 1913/8642

Bachelor
Widow

Fellmonger

23
30

Gore
Gore

13 years
5 years

In the residence of Mrs M. Nyatt, Toronts Street, East Gore

8448

4 October 1913

Rev. Patrick O'Donnell

No	49
Date of Notice	4 October 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Albert Green	Martha Nyatt
BDM Match (96%)	Albert Green	Martha Wyatt
	💍 1913/8642
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Fellmonger
Age	23	30
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	13 years	5 years
Marriage Place	In the residence of Mrs M. Nyatt, Toronts Street, East Gore
Folio	8448
Consent
Date of Certificate	4 October 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick O'Donnell

14 October 1913

Arthur Sherborne
Celia May Caulcutt

Arthur Sherborne
Cilia May Caulcutt
💍 1913/8315

Bachelor
Spinster

Hairdresser

20
19

Gore
Gore

2 1/2 years
5 years

The Congregational Manse, Gore

8058

J. J. Sherborne, Father; Sophia Williams

14 October 1913

Rev. George Hersey

No	50
Date of Notice	14 October 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur Sherborne	Celia May Caulcutt
BDM Match (97%)	Arthur Sherborne	Cilia May Caulcutt
	💍 1913/8315
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Hairdresser
Age	20	19
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	2 1/2 years	5 years
Marriage Place	The Congregational Manse, Gore
Folio	8058
Consent	J. J. Sherborne, Father; Sophia Williams
Date of Certificate	14 October 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. George Hersey

18 October 1913

George Thomas Marters
Emily Louisa Dunford

George Thomas Martin
Emily Louisa Dunford
💍 1913/8725

Bachelor
Spinster

Crown Lands Ranger

46
24

Gore
Anderson's Bay, Dunedin

6 years
24 years

The Roman Catholic Church, South Dunedin

8675

18 October 1913

Rev. J. P. Delany

No	51
Date of Notice	18 October 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	George Thomas Marters	Emily Louisa Dunford
BDM Match (93%)	George Thomas Martin	Emily Louisa Dunford
	💍 1913/8725
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Crown Lands Ranger
Age	46	24
Dwelling Place	Gore	Anderson's Bay, Dunedin
Length of Residence	6 years	24 years
Marriage Place	The Roman Catholic Church, South Dunedin
Folio	8675
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 October 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. P. Delany

20 October 1913

William Henry McKinley
Mary Trusler

William Henry McKinlay
Mary Trusler
💍 1913/8316

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

30
23

Gore
Gore

8 years
12 years

The Presbyterian Church, East Gore

8059

20 October 1913

Rev. J. M. Simpson

No	52
Date of Notice	20 October 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Henry McKinley	Mary Trusler
BDM Match (98%)	William Henry McKinlay	Mary Trusler
	💍 1913/8316
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	30	23
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	8 years	12 years
Marriage Place	The Presbyterian Church, East Gore
Folio	8059
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 October 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. M. Simpson

21 October 1913

William Henry McKinley
Mary Trusler

William Henry McKinlay
Mary Trusler
💍 1913/8316

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

30
23

Gore
Gore

8 years
12 years

In the Residence of Mr James Trusler, Stratford Street, Gore

8059

21 October 1913

Rev. J. M. Simpson

No	53
Date of Notice	21 October 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Henry McKinley	Mary Trusler
BDM Match (98%)	William Henry McKinlay	Mary Trusler
	💍 1913/8316
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	30	23
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	8 years	12 years
Marriage Place	In the Residence of Mr James Trusler, Stratford Street, Gore
Folio	8059
Consent
Date of Certificate	21 October 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. M. Simpson

5 November 1913

Valentine William Harris
Margaret Elizabeth Olsen

Valentine William Harris
Margaret Elizabeth Olsen
💍 1913/8767

Bachelor
Spinster

Labourer

29
23

Gore
Otama

3 days
6 months

The Anglican Church, Gore

8596

5 November 1913

Rev. Albert Wingfield

No	54
Date of Notice	5 November 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Valentine William Harris	Margaret Elizabeth Olsen
	💍 1913/8767
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Labourer
Age	29	23
Dwelling Place	Gore	Otama
Length of Residence	3 days	6 months
Marriage Place	The Anglican Church, Gore
Folio	8596
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 November 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. Albert Wingfield

5 November 1913

Robert Ramsay
Mary Elizabeth Burgers

Robert Ramsay
Mary Elizabeth Burgess
💍 1913/9150

Bachelor
Spinster

Carter

26
18

Waikaka
Waikaka

3 days
6 years

In the residence of Mr Robert Burgess, Waikaka

8807

Robert Burgers, Father

5 November 1913

Rev. Walter Faulie Evand

No	55
Date of Notice	5 November 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Robert Ramsay	Mary Elizabeth Burgers
BDM Match (98%)	Robert Ramsay	Mary Elizabeth Burgess
	💍 1913/9150
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carter
Age	26	18
Dwelling Place	Waikaka	Waikaka
Length of Residence	3 days	6 years
Marriage Place	In the residence of Mr Robert Burgess, Waikaka
Folio	8807
Consent	Robert Burgers, Father
Date of Certificate	5 November 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. Walter Faulie Evand

8 November 1913

William Henry Marshall
Elizabeth Jessie Brown

William Henry Marshall
Elizabeth Jessie Brown
💍 1913/8393

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

29
28

Gore
Waimea, Riversdale

2 1/2 years
4 years

In the residence of Mr John Brown, Longridge

8135

8 November 1913

Rev. Albert Wingfield

No	56
Date of Notice	8 November 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Henry Marshall	Elizabeth Jessie Brown
	💍 1913/8393
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	29	28
Dwelling Place	Gore	Waimea, Riversdale
Length of Residence	2 1/2 years	4 years
Marriage Place	In the residence of Mr John Brown, Longridge
Folio	8135
Consent
Date of Certificate	8 November 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. Albert Wingfield

18 November 1913

Alexander McKenzie McDonald
Ellen Tait Bagrie

Alexander McKenzie McDonald
Ellen Tait Bagrie
💍 1913/8299

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

33
26

Otakarama
Gore

11 years
3 years

Methodist Church, Gore

8065

18 November 1913

Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt

No	57
Date of Notice	18 November 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Alexander McKenzie McDonald	Ellen Tait Bagrie
	💍 1913/8299
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	33	26
Dwelling Place	Otakarama	Gore
Length of Residence	11 years	3 years
Marriage Place	Methodist Church, Gore
Folio	8065
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 November 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt

20 November 1913

Samuel Black
Annie Henderson

Samuel Black
Annie Henderson
💍 1913/8317

Bachelor
Spinster

Butcher

26
28

Waikaka
East Chatton

6 years
8 years

The Presbyterian Church, East Gore

8060

20 November 1913

Rev. J. M. Simpson

No	58
Date of Notice	20 November 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Samuel Black	Annie Henderson
	💍 1913/8317
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Butcher
Age	26	28
Dwelling Place	Waikaka	East Chatton
Length of Residence	6 years	8 years
Marriage Place	The Presbyterian Church, East Gore
Folio	8060
Consent
Date of Certificate	20 November 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. M. Simpson

25 November 1913

John McGillwray
Elizabeth Helen Coghill

John McGillivray
Elizabeth Helen Coghill
💍 1913/8298

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer

28
24

Gore
Gore

3 days
3 days

The Presbyterian Church, East Gore

8064

25 November 1913

Rev. William W. Bertran

No	59
Date of Notice	25 November 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John McGillwray	Elizabeth Helen Coghill
BDM Match (94%)	John McGillivray	Elizabeth Helen Coghill
	💍 1913/8298
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer
Age	28	24
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	The Presbyterian Church, East Gore
Folio	8064
Consent
Date of Certificate	25 November 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. William W. Bertran

12 December 1913

James Sinclair
Abigail Davies

James Sinclair
Abigail Davies
💍 1913/7028

Divorced
Divorced

Cabinet Maker
Housekeeper

37
39

Gore
Gore

1 year
1 year

At the Registrar's Office, Mersey Street, Gore

13/6760

12 December 1913

George Brett, Registrar

No	60
Date of Notice	12 December 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Sinclair	Abigail Davies
	💍 1913/7028
Condition	Divorced	Divorced
Profession	Cabinet Maker	Housekeeper
Age	37	39
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	1 year	1 year
Marriage Place	At the Registrar's Office, Mersey Street, Gore
Folio	13/6760
Consent
Date of Certificate	12 December 1913
Officiating Minister	George Brett, Registrar

13 December 1913

John McDonald
Tabitha Martha McCord

John McDonald
Tabitha Martha McCord
💍 1913/8308

Widower
Widow

Dredgeman

65
64

Waikaka Valley
Gore

12 years
13 years

At the Baptist Manse, Rose Street, Gore

8056

13 December 1913

Rev. Thomas Henry Eccersall

No	61
Date of Notice	13 December 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John McDonald	Tabitha Martha McCord
	💍 1913/8308
Condition	Widower	Widow
Profession	Dredgeman
Age	65	64
Dwelling Place	Waikaka Valley	Gore
Length of Residence	12 years	13 years
Marriage Place	At the Baptist Manse, Rose Street, Gore
Folio	8056
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 December 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. Thomas Henry Eccersall

18 December 1913

John Anderson
Rose Ann McDowell

John Anderson
Rose Ann McDowell
💍 1913/8318

Bachelor
Spinster

Commission Agent

31
23

Gore
Riversdale

6 months
Life

In the Presbyterian Manse, East Gore

8061

18 December 1913

Rev. J. M. Simpson

No	62
Date of Notice	18 December 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Anderson	Rose Ann McDowell
	💍 1913/8318
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Commission Agent
Age	31	23
Dwelling Place	Gore	Riversdale
Length of Residence	6 months	Life
Marriage Place	In the Presbyterian Manse, East Gore
Folio	8061
Consent
Date of Certificate	18 December 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. J. M. Simpson

24 December 1913

James Dwyer
Annie Elizabeth Martin

James Dwyer
Annie Elizabeth Martin
💍 1913/8640

James Pedersen
Annie Ellen Letitia Martin
💍 1913/6692

Bachelor
Spinster

Carpenter

27
24

Gore
Gore

3 days
7 years

The Roman Catholic Church, East Gore

8446

24 December 1913

Rev. Patrick O'Donnell

No	63
Date of Notice	24 December 1913
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Dwyer	Annie Elizabeth Martin
	💍 1913/8640
BDM Match (61%)	James Pedersen	Annie Ellen Letitia Martin
	💍 1913/6692
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Carpenter
Age	27	24
Dwelling Place	Gore	Gore
Length of Residence	3 days	7 years
Marriage Place	The Roman Catholic Church, East Gore
Folio	8446
Consent
Date of Certificate	24 December 1913
Officiating Minister	Rev. Patrick O'Donnell

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).