Intentions to Marry, 1914 Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland

Reference: Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Notices of intention to marry, Series 8937, R2840455, Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga, Wellington

1914 is bound in three volumes - Auckland, Taranaki (1914a), Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Westland (1914b), and Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Chatham Islands (1914c).

Page 1913

District of Nelson Quarter ending 31 March 1914 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

5 January 1914

Charles Edward Newberry
Eileen Veronica Mowen

Charles Edward Newberry
Eileen Veronica Mowen
💍 1914/6568

Bachelor
Spinster

Barman
Barmaid

27
22

Trafalgar St. Nelson
Hardy St. Nelson

15 months
16 months

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

369

5 January 1914

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	1
Date of Notice	5 January 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Edward Newberry	Eileen Veronica Mowen
	💍 1914/6568
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Barman	Barmaid
Age	27	22
Dwelling Place	Trafalgar St. Nelson	Hardy St. Nelson
Length of Residence	15 months	16 months
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	369
Consent
Date of Certificate	5 January 1914
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

7 January 1914

James Patrick Hennessy
Mildred Catherine Brown

James Patrick Hennessy
Mildred Catherine Brown
💍 1914/7467

Bachelor
Spinster

Hairdresser
Shop assistant

28
21

Bridge St. Nelson
Bronte St. Nelson

3 days
10 months

Residence of Mr. Frederick Wells, Bronte St., Nelson

1305

7 January 1914

J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

No	2
Date of Notice	7 January 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	James Patrick Hennessy	Mildred Catherine Brown
	💍 1914/7467
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Hairdresser	Shop assistant
Age	28	21
Dwelling Place	Bridge St. Nelson	Bronte St. Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	10 months
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr. Frederick Wells, Bronte St., Nelson
Folio	1305
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 January 1914
Officiating Minister	J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

13 January 1914

Halstead Sowman
Annie Millard

Halstead Sowman
Annie Millard
💍 1914/7466

Bachelor
Spinster

Painter's machinist
Domestic

21
21

Collingwood St. Nelson
Bronte St. Nelson

21 years
10 years

Residence of Arthur Sowman, Collingwood St., Nelson

1304

13 January 1914

J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

No	3
Date of Notice	13 January 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Halstead Sowman	Annie Millard
	💍 1914/7466
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Painter's machinist	Domestic
Age	21	21
Dwelling Place	Collingwood St. Nelson	Bronte St. Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	10 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Arthur Sowman, Collingwood St., Nelson
Folio	1304
Consent
Date of Certificate	13 January 1914
Officiating Minister	J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

17 January 1914

Colin Alfred Campbell
Evelyn Georgina Blanchett

Colin Alfred Campbell
Evelyn Georgina Blanchett
💍 1914/6570

Bachelor
Spinster

Bushman
Domestic duties

25
20

Bridge St. Nelson
Bridge St. Nelson

3 days
3 days

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

370

Thomas Blanchett, Father

17 January 1914

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	4
Date of Notice	17 January 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Colin Alfred Campbell	Evelyn Georgina Blanchett
	💍 1914/6570
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Bushman	Domestic duties
Age	25	20
Dwelling Place	Bridge St. Nelson	Bridge St. Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	370
Consent	Thomas Blanchett, Father
Date of Certificate	17 January 1914
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

26 January 1914

Arthur John Dorreen
Amy Nieman

Arthur John Dorreen
Amy Nieman
💍 1914/7450

Bachelor
Spinster

Shepherd
Domestic duties

32
27

Hardy St. Nelson
Hardy St. Nelson

5 days
3 days

Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson

1312

26 January 1914

W. G. Baker, Church of England Minister

No	5
Date of Notice	26 January 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Arthur John Dorreen	Amy Nieman
	💍 1914/7450
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Shepherd	Domestic duties
Age	32	27
Dwelling Place	Hardy St. Nelson	Hardy St. Nelson
Length of Residence	5 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	1312
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 January 1914
Officiating Minister	W. G. Baker, Church of England Minister

26 January 1914

Charles Michael O'Brien
Mary Monica Clarkson

Charles Michael O'Brien
Mary Monica Clarkson
💍 1914/7465

Bachelor
Spinster

Schoolmaster
Household duties

44
27

Stoke, Nelson
Stoke, Nelson

4 years
3 weeks

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

1303

26 January 1914

J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

No	6
Date of Notice	26 January 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Michael O'Brien	Mary Monica Clarkson
	💍 1914/7465
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Schoolmaster	Household duties
Age	44	27
Dwelling Place	Stoke, Nelson	Stoke, Nelson
Length of Residence	4 years	3 weeks
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manuka St., Nelson
Folio	1303
Consent
Date of Certificate	26 January 1914
Officiating Minister	J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

6 February 1914

John Nevin
Elsie Myra Hamilton

John Nevin
Elsie Myra Hamilton
💍 1914/7451

Bachelor
Spinster

Telegraphist
Domestic duties

27
21

Bridge St. Nelson
Nile St. Nelson

5 days
21 years

Residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Dorcas Hamilton, Nile St., Nelson

1313

6 February 1914

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	7
Date of Notice	6 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	John Nevin	Elsie Myra Hamilton
	💍 1914/7451
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Telegraphist	Domestic duties
Age	27	21
Dwelling Place	Bridge St. Nelson	Nile St. Nelson
Length of Residence	5 days	21 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Dorcas Hamilton, Nile St., Nelson
Folio	1313
Consent
Date of Certificate	6 February 1914
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

7 February 1914

William Caspar Devanny
Elizabeth Heath Neve

William Caspar Devanny
Elizabeth Heath Neve
💍 1914/6571

Bachelor
Divorced

Labourer
Domestic duties

23
32

Kawai St. Nelson
Waimea Rd. Nelson

21 years
4 months

Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

371

7 February 1914

S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

No	8
Date of Notice	7 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Caspar Devanny	Elizabeth Heath Neve
	💍 1914/6571
Condition	Bachelor	Divorced
Profession	Labourer	Domestic duties
Age	23	32
Dwelling Place	Kawai St. Nelson	Waimea Rd. Nelson
Length of Residence	21 years	4 months
Marriage Place	Office of the Registrar of Marriages, Nelson
Folio	371
Consent
Date of Certificate	7 February 1914
Officiating Minister	S. Blomfield, Registrar of Marriages, Nelson

10 February 1914

Frank Cecil Smallbone
Elsie MacSilvers Cresswell

Frank Cecil Smallbone
Elise MacSilvers Cresswell
💍 1914/7452

Bachelor
Spinster

Salesman
Household duties

24
30

The Port
Alton Street, Nelson

16 years
18 months

All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson

1314

10 February 1914

W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

No	9
Date of Notice	10 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frank Cecil Smallbone	Elsie MacSilvers Cresswell
BDM Match (96%)	Frank Cecil Smallbone	Elise MacSilvers Cresswell
	💍 1914/7452
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Salesman	Household duties
Age	24	30
Dwelling Place	The Port	Alton Street, Nelson
Length of Residence	16 years	18 months
Marriage Place	All Saints' Church, Vanguard Street, Nelson
Folio	1314
Consent
Date of Certificate	10 February 1914
Officiating Minister	W. S. Lucas, Church of England Minister

10 February 1914

Frederick Horace Thomas
Reena Margaretta Roughton

Frederick Horace Thomas
Reena Margeretta Roughton
💍 1914/7458

Bachelor
Spinster

Postmaster
Domestic duties

28
18

Bridge St. Nelson
Waimea St. Nelson

4 days
18 years

St. Mary's Church, Manuka Street, Nelson

1302

Wm Ashton Roughton, father

10 February 1914

J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

No	10
Date of Notice	10 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Frederick Horace Thomas	Reena Margaretta Roughton
BDM Match (98%)	Frederick Horace Thomas	Reena Margeretta Roughton
	💍 1914/7458
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Postmaster	Domestic duties
Age	28	18
Dwelling Place	Bridge St. Nelson	Waimea St. Nelson
Length of Residence	4 days	18 years
Marriage Place	St. Mary's Church, Manuka Street, Nelson
Folio	1302
Consent	Wm Ashton Roughton, father
Date of Certificate	10 February 1914
Officiating Minister	J. C. Ainsworth, Roman Catholic Priest

13 February 1914

William Arthur Sutton
Laura Elvina Lawson

William Arthur Sutton
Laura Elvira Lawson
💍 1914/7454

Bachelor
Spinster

Unlicensed assistant Surveyor
Domestic duties

25
20

Selwyn Place, Nelson
Selwyn Place, Nelson

3 days
2 years

Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson

1316

Geo Henry Lawson, father

13 February 1914

J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

No	11
Date of Notice	13 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Arthur Sutton	Laura Elvina Lawson
BDM Match (97%)	William Arthur Sutton	Laura Elvira Lawson
	💍 1914/7454
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Unlicensed assistant Surveyor	Domestic duties
Age	25	20
Dwelling Place	Selwyn Place, Nelson	Selwyn Place, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	2 years
Marriage Place	Christ Church, Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Folio	1316
Consent	Geo Henry Lawson, father
Date of Certificate	13 February 1914
Officiating Minister	J. P. Kempthorne, Church of England Minister

18 February 1914

Laurence Goodman
Beatrice Marguerite Stanton

Lawrence Goodman
Beatrice Marguerite Stanton
💍 1914/7453

Bachelor
Spinster

Farmer
Domestic duties

20
19

Tahunanui, Nelson
Washington Valley, Nelson

3 days
3 days

Residence of Chas Leonard Goodman, Tahuna, Nelson

1315

Thomas Goodman, father; Joseph Stanton, father

18 February 1914

A. J. Carr, Church of England Minister

No	12
Date of Notice	18 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Laurence Goodman	Beatrice Marguerite Stanton
BDM Match (97%)	Lawrence Goodman	Beatrice Marguerite Stanton
	💍 1914/7453
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Farmer	Domestic duties
Age	20	19
Dwelling Place	Tahunanui, Nelson	Washington Valley, Nelson
Length of Residence	3 days	3 days
Marriage Place	Residence of Chas Leonard Goodman, Tahuna, Nelson
Folio	1315
Consent	Thomas Goodman, father; Joseph Stanton, father
Date of Certificate	18 February 1914
Officiating Minister	A. J. Carr, Church of England Minister

20 February 1914

Bertie Carl Johanson
Eulalie Laura McArtney

Bertie Carl Johanson
Eulalie Laura McArtney
💍 1914/7455

Bachelor
Spinster

Mercer
Domestic duties

23
20

Collingwood St. Nelson
Bronte St. Nelson

23 years
20 years

Presbyterian Church, Nile St., Nelson

1317

Laura Beatrice Collier, mother

20 February 1914

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	13
Date of Notice	20 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Bertie Carl Johanson	Eulalie Laura McArtney
	💍 1914/7455
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Mercer	Domestic duties
Age	23	20
Dwelling Place	Collingwood St. Nelson	Bronte St. Nelson
Length of Residence	23 years	20 years
Marriage Place	Presbyterian Church, Nile St., Nelson
Folio	1317
Consent	Laura Beatrice Collier, mother
Date of Certificate	20 February 1914
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

23 February 1914

William Swanson Milner
May Mary Redworth

William Swanson Milner
May Mary Redworth
💍 1914/7456

Bachelor
Spinster

Solicitor
Domestic duties

41
43

Nelson City
Nelson City

41 years
43 years

Residence of Mrs. Annie Redworth, Bronte St., Nelson

1319

23 February 1914

Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

No	14
Date of Notice	23 February 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	William Swanson Milner	May Mary Redworth
	💍 1914/7456
Condition	Bachelor	Spinster
Profession	Solicitor	Domestic duties
Age	41	43
Dwelling Place	Nelson City	Nelson City
Length of Residence	41 years	43 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mrs. Annie Redworth, Bronte St., Nelson
Folio	1319
Consent
Date of Certificate	23 February 1914
Officiating Minister	Jas. H. Mackenzie, Presbyterian Minister

17 March 1914

Charles Robert Norris Mackie
Ethel Maude Manttan

Charles Robert Norris Mackie
Ethel Maude Manttan
💍 1914/5731

Bachelor
Widow

Clerk
Domestic duties

44
33

Collingwood St. Nelson
Collingwood St. Nelson

14 days
3 1/2 years

Residence of Mr Henry Bethwaite, Collingwood St., Nelson

3191

17 March 1914

W. E. Lambert, Baptist Minister

No	15
Date of Notice	17 March 1914
	Groom	Bride
Names of Parties	Charles Robert Norris Mackie	Ethel Maude Manttan
	💍 1914/5731
Condition	Bachelor	Widow
Profession	Clerk	Domestic duties
Age	44	33
Dwelling Place	Collingwood St. Nelson	Collingwood St. Nelson
Length of Residence	14 days	3 1/2 years
Marriage Place	Residence of Mr Henry Bethwaite, Collingwood St., Nelson
Folio	3191
Consent
Date of Certificate	17 March 1914
Officiating Minister	W. E. Lambert, Baptist 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).