WELCH_BOOTH_ERIKSON

Eugene Francis Ambrose Dunkley honored

2011-09-22T15:36:00.000+12:00

This article appeared in the Waitomo News. Click on image to enlarge it.

Allan Patrick Erikson

2011-04-06T05:53:00.000+12:00

This lovely gentleman, whom I met about 10yrs ago, died about 3yrs ago. His parents were Hannah Hurley and Allan Theodore Erikson. I've had a few emails enquiring about Allan Theodore's extensive family over the years and am about to visit Allan Patrick's family tomorrow.

If anyone is interested in Allan Theodore Erikson's family, please leave your email address and I will endeavour to put you in touch with other family members to share information. (Not for this blog of course!).
lyndear@gmail.com

Alice Booth's place of birth

2011-04-04T10:37:00.000+12:00

I recently visited the spot where Alice Erikson nee Booth and some of siblings were born. Masons Flat in North Canterbury is a cross-roads with one building - not a very exciting place to start. However, what happened next was extraordinary

Since I've already blogged about it on another site I run, please visit
Genealogy New Zealand

And for those of you who want to make a similar 'pilgrimage', the map and information will help locate 'the Grange' site. Click on the map to see a bigger image.

The Grange was on land either leased from the Church or Lincoln College. There were three Hoban brothers in the district, Thomas who married Julia Booth was the oldest. Peter who never married and Michael Joseph who did marry and remained in the district. The Grange was run in partnership, being such a big property. The land was marginal, only good for sheep. The road which ran beside the house was an informal one, probably shingled and connected their families and others to the cross roads. The Catholic services were held in the hall. Hawarden had no pub but the main road had a couple however, they were a trek. The Hobans also had contracts to shingle roads in the Amuri area.

The school at Masons Flat opened in 1881. On the opening role were the older Hoban children.
Henry William Booth dob 20th Aug 1876 started school there on the 25th October 1882, sister Mary Booth, dob 1st July 1878 started there on the 10th September 1883. On the 3rd of October 1888 both Henry and Mary left for a school in Christchurch (the role may indicate this took place on either the second of October 1888 or between 1888 and 1893, its not clear on my copy). Since Julia Hoban died in February 1892, it maybe that William and Vulenza and family left and went to Christchurch about this time. To confirm this, I'll have to wait until Christchurch National Archives gets back up and running from the earthquake damage it received.

1861 Cenus results for Booth family

2010-08-30T09:20:00.000+12:00

Kate Booth and George Williams

2008-07-05T15:37:00.004+12:00

Theresa Mary Booth and George Francis Trask

2008-06-24T16:25:00.005+12:00

Isabel Emma Trask

2008-06-24T15:38:00.004+12:00

Isabel Emma, daughter of George Trask and Theresa Mary Booth was born the 25th of July 1883.

Elizabeth Margaret Booth and Eugene Francis Ambrose Dunkley

2008-06-11T21:35:00.017+12:00

Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of John Booth and Mary Margaret Dalton, was born in Christchurch on the 21st of February 1875 and baptised on the 25th April 1875, sponsers, Daniel McKendry and Johanna Dalton. She married Francis Dunkley born 4th of July 1875, on the 6th of June 1901 in Christchurch. Francis was born at Holtham, Victoria, Australia. Their three children went to school at Cheviot, Leader Valley and Christchurch. They then lived at Waiteti Rd, Te Kuiti where Francis was a district overseer. He had been part of the expeditonary forces (21389)as a sergeant in the tunnelling division and had returned to New Zealand on the Ionic on the 23rd of April 1919.Francis was drowned on the 7th of June 1920 and Elizabeth died on the 27th of December 1944. Source; Probates, Auckland national archives and the Christchurch library. Thanks to Sue Baker Wilson for the photo of Francis's grave. Sue is researching the WW1 tunneling Company and is the Waihi Heritage Vision Researcher.

W. Michael Amos

2008-06-11T21:15:00.004+12:00

Michael, son of Arthur Malcolm Amos and Kathleen Mary Booth. He was an intermediate ( under 17 years) swimmer in 1946 and a Junior in ( under 14 years ) in January 1945.
He belonged to the Waitemata club in Auckland. In a 1954 scrap book I came across a small article headed Swimmer Pilot. “One of those ‘passed out’ this morning as a pilot officer after a course at Whenuapai was W M Amos a former champion swimmer and setter of records”

The NZ swimming 1990 history book called 1890 – 1990 New Zealand Swimming Centennial Volume II had the following photo. Thanks to Norma Williams for this information.
From left to right. Michael Amos, Llyal Barry, Noel Chambers, Buddy Lucas. British Empire games gold medal 1950 (Auckland), 4 x 200yrds freestyle.

Patrick Thomas Hoban and Olive Mary Palmer

2008-06-10T11:09:00.002+12:00

Patrick Thomas, son of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born on the 9th of October 1885. He married Olive Mary Palmer in 1916 and died on the 25th of September 1949 in Northland.

Sarah Theresa Hoban and Claude Blick

2008-06-10T11:07:00.002+12:00

Sarah Theresa, daughter of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born on the 28th of September 1881. She married Claude Blick in 1922. Sarah died in 1956.Claude was born in Tauranga in 1883 and died 26th of September 1938. He was a fisherman.

Eliza Booth

2008-06-10T11:03:00.003+12:00

Eliza, daughter of William Booth and Judith Manning came on the Victory with her parents in 1862 to Christchurch. In the Lyttleton Times death notices at Christchurch library, it mentions;
Booth, Eliza d/o W Booth leaves residence at North Avon Rd 18/06/70.

Mary Elizabeth Hoban and Robert W Gainsford

2008-06-10T10:27:00.003+12:00

Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth on the 8th of May 1874. She married Robert Gainsford in 1899.

GAINSFORD - HOBAN -
on 12 April at Hawarden Catholic Church, by the Rev. Father Tracey,
William Robert Gainsford, to Mary Eliza Hoban, eldest daughter of
Thomas Hoban, Grange Farm, Hawarden.

John (Jack) Hoban and Mary (Myra) Knight

2008-06-10T10:21:00.003+12:00

John, son of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born on the 15th March 1877 at Amberley. He was baptised on the 15th of April 1877 at Brackenbridge, sponsers, Patrick Ranahan and Mrs Samuel Lee. John married Mary Knight on the 12th of December 1906. He died on the 10th of August 1952. Myra died on the 15th of April 1952.

Julia Catherine Hoban and William Shadrach

2008-06-10T10:15:00.002+12:00

Julia Catherine, daughter of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born at Amberley on the 8th of May 1874. She was baptised at Brackenbridge on the 21st of June 1874, sponsers, Denys Dillon and Mrs W Ranahan. Julia married William Shadrach on the 4th of March 1895 and died C1950.

Austin Hoban and Helen Isobel Gibb

2008-06-10T10:08:00.003+12:00

Austin, son of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born on the 29th of May 1872 at Browns Ridge and was baptised at Brackenbridge on the 16th June 1872, sponsers, Michael Joseph Hoban and Mrs Smith.
He married Helen Isobel Gibb in 1914. He died in 1934.

James Joseph Hoban and Sarah Fanny Todd

2008-06-10T09:43:00.003+12:00

James Joseph, son of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born at Stoneyhurst station on the 14th of February 1870. He was baptised on the 27th of February that year, sponsers, William Booth and Sarah Duffy.
James married Sarah Fanny Todd in 1902. He died on the 9th of October 1943.

Michael William Hoban

2008-06-10T09:36:00.005+12:00

Michael William, son of Thomas Hoban and Julia Booth was born at Stoneyhurst on the 10th of February 1868 and baptised on the 27th September 1868, sponsers, John and Eliza Booth. He died on the 1st of February 1928.

Sydney James Trask

2008-06-09T19:32:00.003+12:00

Sydney James, son of George and Theresa (Mary) Booth died 27th March 1888 aged 4 months. Buried at Napier.

Ivy Mary Inger ERIKSON and (D) Samuel Joseph DRAFFIN

2008-06-06T18:26:00.010+12:00

Ivy Mary Inger (Pat), daughter of Edward Theodore Erikson and Alice Booth was this couples youngest daughter born 30th January 1911 in Pahiatua.

She became a union delegate in the clothing manufacturing trade and a staunch Labour party supporter in Mt Roskill. She hated having been born in Pahiatua, the same place Sir Keith Holyoak of the National party came from. After three marriages and no children she married Samuel Joseph Draffin on the 6th of November 1947.

They adopted my sister which was too much for the dog (see photo, previous marriage), she had to find another home for him. Then they adopted me a few years later. The culture of those days was respectability in the neighbourhood and she never mentioned her sister to me or how many times she had been previously married.

Both Sam and Pat had been brought up Catholic, Sam more vigorously and so we children were baptised and sent to the local Catholic school. I will mention here that in her early days, Ivy been teased terribly at school and had confided in her youngest half brother, Patrick that she hated her name. He adored her and said, "You can have my name Ivy". So from then on she was known as Pat.

As parents they were hard but fair, taking care of us to the best of their ability and I honour them for it. Sam had known really hard times during the 30’s depression and they felt they couldn’t really relax until the house (No.8 Princes Ave, Mt Roskill) was paid off. That made for hard times and few luxuries. It was normal though and the whole neighbourhood was what we might term nowdays ‘penny pinching’.

Sam worked for Winstones as a storeman and part of his job was explaining to the truck drivers where they were to drive to. He knew Auckland like the back of his hand. We had one car, a morris minor, called a low-lighter which was hand-cranked to start it and Sam biked to work.

One morning he had a heart-attack riding his bike. He’d been digging out the driveway at home and the doctors thought he’d been working too hard. After that, he had to take things easy. There was no triple bypass then.

At work and at play, we mixed with Maori, Indian, Chinese and Pacific Islanders though they weren’t as numerous as you’d find today. The culture that seemed to come in for most teasing, good natured on not were the Poms and the Dalmations. Fun came the cheap way, with no television to distract them, Pat and Sam played cards with the neighbours, used the car to visit family and friends in the weekends and went to the pictures or dances.

For holidays, we visited family who had farms down country. The Eriksons in Waipawa where we girls were fascinated with the railway at the bottom of the garden or the Eriksons in Gisborne were we experienced a few earthquakes and played in the sun while the adults played cards in the evening. We packed up the Morris to go to more exotic places too, like renting a bach at Whangamata to play in the surf or at Mt Maunganui to do the same.

The car was very heavily loaded and struggled up the hills. It broke down a few times but help always came. The roads were rudimentary and I’ll never forget the day dad announced gravely that the ‘big end’ had gone. A tow truck came and dragged us out of some gorge. I hid down behind the seat because I didn’t like the drop off the narrow road. The driver had to toot before taking some of the bends because he couldn’t see what was coming on the single lane highway.

Sam survived his heart attack for another 21 years and died on the 3rd of November 1975. Pat was devastated. She recovered after a few years and discovered life at the RSA where she made many friends. She died on the 6^th of September 1986.

Vulenza Elizabeth (Linda) Dick and Leslie Jack Osborne

2008-06-06T18:19:00.002+12:00

Arthur Beacham and Agnes Veronica Joseph

2008-06-06T16:12:00.001+12:00

Edna Ella Erikson and Frederick Isaac Harrison

2008-06-06T14:07:00.006+12:00

Edna Ella, the daughter of Eileen Helen Vulenza Erikson was born in Pongaroa on the 25th of June 1922. She married Frederick Isaac Harrison on the 30th of January 1940. They had nine children. Edna died on the 26th of November 1986 and Frederick died on the 16th of July 1989. They have about 15 grandchildren.

Ivy Mary Inger Erikson and (B) William Albert Johns

2008-06-06T09:57:00.004+12:00

Ivy Mary Inger Johns of 19 Alten Road, Grafton, Auckland, married woman and William Albert Johns of Ashburton, labourer before Justice Rair 30th March 1942.

I am the petitioner in this cause. I live at 18 Crummer Rd, Grey Lynn. On the 23rd of Mary 1936, I married the respondent. We lived at Christchurch for a year and as a result of differences we entered into a separation aggreement. After signing this I continued to live in Christchurch until May 1938 when I came to Auckland.

Alice Dick said. I am a married woman and mother of the petitioner. I remember her coming to live in Auckland after the separation. It will be 4 years in May. She has lived with me sometimes and sometimes away from me but has always seen me in the weekends.

Harold Booth and Marie Lloyd

2008-06-01T18:45:00.003+12:00

Harold, son of Ernest Joseph Booth and May Grace Uden was born on the 25th October 1935. He married Marie Lloyd on the 22 April 1957 and he died on the 1st of September 1999.

Vulenza Mavis (Linda) Booth and Maurice Percy (Bill) Grayling

2008-06-01T18:05:00.003+12:00

Linda, daughter of Ernest Joseph Booth and May Grace Uden was born in Patea on the 9th of September 1923. She married Bill Grayling on the 27th of December 1941 and they farmed at Katikati. Linda died on the 6th of October 2001 and Bill on the 6th of February 1981.

Ivy Mary Inger ERIKSON and (A) John McLEAN

2008-05-21T19:21:00.009+12:00

Ivy Mary Inger, daughter of Edward Theodore Erikson and Alice Booth was born in Pahiatua on the 30th of January 1911. When her parents separated, her mother took her with her working as a cook on sheep stations for a while. Ivy related to me that her earliest memories were of the smell of bread baking in the early mornings. She rode a horse to school but left school at age 12 which was normal in those days but continued her education as best she could. She played a lot of hockey. I had more schooling than her but she could out spell me and was great at maths. She spent her teenage years in Napier and remembered the dances but was disappointed that her ambition of becoming a nurse would never happen as the family lacked the finances to see her through her training because of the depression. On the 3rd of Feb 1931, she was working in Taupo, looking after an old lady and as she was looking out the kitchen window that morning, she watched in disbelief as the water tank slowly slanted. In Taupo, the quake was mild but she soon learnt the extent of the damage in Napier and that she lost several good friends that morning, but her mother and stepfather had survived. Ivy married John McLean, son of Donald McLean and Margaret Martin, born Inverness, Scotland on the 1st of September 1931.

After their marriage they lived in Napier, Wellington and 288 Cashel St, Christchurch, until they separated on in early 1935.

Ivy Mary Inger ERIKSON and (C) Birt RIGSBY

2008-05-21T18:49:00.012+12:00

Ivy Mary Inger, daughter of Edward Theodore ERIKSON and Alice BOOTH was born at Pahiatua on the 30th of January 1911. After two marriages she remarried to Birt Rigsby but they divorced in 1947. Birt has a probate registered in 1983.

Edward Albert Francis ERIKSON and Linda Mabel CARR

2008-05-21T17:41:00.011+12:00

Edward, the son of Edward Theodore Eriksen and Alice Booth was born on the 12th of February 1901 in Pahiatua. When his parents separated in 1912, he and his brothers were sent away to foster homes or an orphanage. The police picked up Edward on the 11th April 1916 for placing an obstruction on the railway line. gave him 12 strokes of the birch and sent him to Weraroa. Description as follows: Native of NZ, labourer, 5'7", fresh complexion, hair fair, eyes blue, large nose. Again, he was picked up by the police in Christchurch 16th Oct 1917 and returned to Burnham. In 1918 he again ran away. Description as follows: From Weraroa Training Farm, aged 17yrs, medium build dressed in Khaki riding breeches, black leggings, brown tweed coat and black lace up boots. He was arrested in Pahiatua on the 3rd of April 1918. On the 1938 electoral roll, he is listed as a ploughman at Tolaga Bay and in 1948 he was living at Hexton, Gisborne. Just a young boy trying to get back home!

He married Linda Mabel Carr. I remember visiting them in the 1950's, they were a lovely family and we had lots of fun.

Death notice: Late 2nd NZEF No 36970. On March 16, 1975 at Gisborne, suddenly. Loved husband of the late Linda and loved father of 2 daughters. Messages to 8 Bulwer Road, Gisborne.

Eileen Helena ERIKSON

2008-05-20T13:39:00.011+12:00

Eileen, daughter of Edward Theodore ERIKSON and Alice BOOTH,was born on the 14th of September 1902 at Pongaroa near Masterton. Eileen had a child she named Edna Ella Erikson on the 25th of June 1922 also born at Pongaroa. Eileen never married.

Abraham BENYUNES

2008-05-20T13:34:00.007+12:00

Abraham Benyunes married Vulenza Welsh in Cornwall. Not long after the marriage, she left for New Zealand on the 'Adamant' which sailed on the 16th July 1872. She remarried on the 14th of October 1875 in Christchurch appending the name Benyunes as a second name. Perhaps she believed that Abraham had died? Abraham also appears to have remarried in England and had a child called Rosa. He died in 1915 in Plymouth Devon. After many years residing in New Zealand, Vulenza, disappeared from the records. She signed her son's marriage in Jan 1905 and is recorded on the electoral roll in Masterton in 1908. After that, nothing.

From what I can gather, the Jews of Gibralter were descended from a group that left Spain called the Sephardic Jews (Jews from Spain, Morocco, the Middle East and Far East)and had been domiciled in Gibralter for about 300 years.

Family group where Abraham belongs is as follows:
Eliyahu (Elias) Benyunes (son of Abraham Benyunes)
Born 28.1.1816 in Gib Died 4.10.1865 in Gibralter
Married in Gibibralter Hana Bentabo 17.3.1841

They had:
1. Abraham Benyunes Born Gib 5.8.1842
2. Mose Benyunes Born 13.11.1844 Died 2.9.1874 Gib (Never married)
3. David Benyunes Born 27.5.1848 Gib
4. Issac Benyunes Born 25.9.1850 Gib
5. Salem Benyunes Born 27.3.1855 Gib

Mary Helena Jane ERIKSEN and Samuel McCULLOUGH

2008-05-18T22:26:00.002+12:00

Helena Jane ERIKSEN, daughter of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS was born c1889. Married Samuel McCULLOUGH in 1910 and died in 1918 (influenza epidemic) and is buried at Pahiatua.

Elsie Louise ERIKSEN and Andrew MILLAR

2008-05-18T22:19:00.003+12:00

Elsie Louise, daughter of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS married Andrew MILLAR in 1913. They had been living at 12 Albert Street, Hamilton East and divorced in 1944. Elsie died on the 27th November 1973 in Auckland and is buried at Hamilton Park cemetery. 3 daughters.

Sophia Ellen ERIKSEN and Christmas Heavers WATSON

2008-05-18T22:13:00.005+12:00

Ellen Sophie (Sophia), daughter of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS, was born in 1894 in Pahiatua and married Christmas Heavers WATSON on the 8th of September 1915. In 1930, she divorced Christmas saying that he'd left her soon after their daughter, Betsy Amelia Watson, was born in 1916. In 1930, Sophia was living in Mt Albert Auckland and Christmas was living at Kimbolton.

Ivy Ann ERIKSEN and Peter Christian SORENSEN

2008-05-18T21:58:00.005+12:00

Ivy Ann, daughter of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS, was born 1890. She married Peter Christian SORENSEN in 1911 and she died in Waverly 10th December 1968 Peter died on the 16th of September 1966 in Waverly.

Ernest Joseph BOOTH and May Grace UDEN

2008-05-18T20:28:00.005+12:00

Ernest Joseph, son of William BOOTH and Vulenza WELSH, was born the 24th of March 1889 just outside of Palmerston North. His parents were settlers at Ohau at the time. Ernest married in 1914 to May Grace UDEN, the daughter of Isaac Baker Johnson Uden and Emily White. May was born at Temuka.
(Thanks to Auntie Lil for the photos).
Ernest died on the 1st of November 1980 at Kati Kati and is buried in the cemetery there. May died on the 6th of January 1943 at Kati Kati.

Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and (A) Betsy Ann THOMAS

2008-05-18T19:22:00.005+12:00

Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN son of Erik Samuelson and Torborg Eline JOHANNESDATTER was born in Akra, Norway on the 24th of April 1860. He immigrated to NZ and married Betsy Ann THOMAS born 1868, in 1888. They farmed at Pongaroa and had eight children. Betsy died on the 15th of May 1916 at Pahiatua and is buried at Pahiatua. Andrew remarried to Jessie Emily Dryland in 1929. Andrew died on the 3rd of October 1933 and is buried at Waikumete, Auckland. Jessie died on the 20 October 1951 and is also buried at Waikumete.

William Andrew ERIKSEN

2008-05-17T19:59:00.005+12:00

William, son of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS. Service No 12365 (Army) WG2688, Service No 402825 (Airforce). Next of Kin Mrs PA or DA Rawson, (Niece) 49 Chepworth Rd, Hamilton. He is on the 1838 electoral roll at 15 Dawson St, Pahiatua, occupation labourer. He died 8th of July 1983 in Hamilton.

Stanley Joseph ERIKSEN and Phyllis Catherine CARR

2008-05-17T19:46:00.004+12:00

Stanley, son of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS, born 1904. He married in 1930 to Phyllis Catherine CARR. Stanley is on the 1938 electoral roll at 15 Dawson St, Pahiatua, occupation labourer. He died on the 26th of May 1987 at Wanganui. Phyllis died on the 21st of April 1972 at Te Kuiti.

Albert John ERIKSEN and Doris Eileen GRINLINTON

2008-05-17T19:34:00.006+12:00

Albert, son of Andrew Emanuel ERIKSEN and Betsy Ann THOMAS. Military Record, Service No 15707, File No 1646, 1stNZEF. Next of Kin Mrs J McPherson, 9 Redfern St Dannevirke. Married in 1920 to Doris Eileen GRINLINTON. Is found on the 1938 electoral roll at 68 Allardice St, Pahiatua along with Doris, occupation vulcaniser. Died 15th of May 1971 at Dannevirke, New Zealand aged 75yrs. Doris had a probate filed on the 6th of September 1948 at Wellington.

Alexander Clark DICK and Gladys Marion ABBOTT

2008-05-17T18:35:00.002+12:00

Living at 49 Dexter Avenue, Mt Eden, Auckland on the 1949 - 50 electoral roll.

Uncle Alex worked for the Auckland Harbour Board from school leaving until he retired as a marine engineer, only broken by the war. He was taken prisoner by the Germans in the desert for two years and was in very bad shape when he came home. By Alice Houltham

Roy Emanuel Erikson and Agnes Jean Wilson

2008-05-17T17:47:00.004+12:00

Roy, son of Edward Erikson and Alice Booth was born in Pahiatua on the 5th of March 1908. He married Agnes Jean Wilson in 1954. He died on the 8th of September 1975 and his ashes were scattered at Waikumete Cemetery. His wife Agnes died on the 22th of October 1978 and her ashes were also scattered at Waikumete Cemetery. Her probate read $3365, $200 to Rev George Mark Marinovich. $200 to the SPCA and the remainder to the St Francis Catholic Church, Pt Chevalier.

Eric Claude ERIKSON and Lydia May FOX

2008-05-17T17:44:00.005+12:00

Eric, son of Edward Erikson and Alice Booth was born in Pahiatua on the 27th of April 1904. He married Lydia May Fox in 1926 Eric was living in Marlborough St, Waipukura, occupation labourer on the 1938 Electoral roll. He married again, see certificate. He died in 1993 at Napier New Zealand.

Alice BOOTH and (A) Edward Theodore ERIKSON (B) Arthur BEACHAM (C) William W DICK

2008-05-09T12:25:00.024+12:00

Alice BOOTH, daughter of William BOOTH and Vulenza WELSH was born at Masons Flat, Canterbury on the 9th of October 1882. She had a child she named Jack in 1899 before marrying Edward Theodore ERICKSON on the 15th of November 1900 at the Wellington registry office. Edward's brother had a farm at Pongaroa, north of Masterton where Alice and Edward spent their first few years. They then moved to Pahiatua.

The Pahiatua Herald Monday 22nd April 1912 Wholesale Thefts, Local Retailers Victimised, Two men sentenced.
There was quite a display of clothing, boots and shores, new and second-hand, at the local Court today. Two men, well-known locally, Maurice Cronin and Edward Ericksen, were charged (1) with the theft of goods valued at £4 18s 3d from Messers A. H. Herbert and Co; (2) the theft of goods from J.K. Carpenter, valued at £4 ; (3) the theft of goods from Messrs J.W. Sturton and Co., valued at £1 6s 8d. The thefts were alleged to have occurred about last October. The presiding Justices were Messrs J D Wilson and David Crewe.

The accused elected to be dealt with summarily. Ericksen pleaded guilty, and Cronin, for whom Mr N R Russell appeared, not guilty. Mr Herbert of the firm of Messrs A H Herbert and Co., at Pahiatua stated that during the last few months he had missed articles of clothing from his drapery department. He identified some of the articles produced in Court. He had not sold any of the goods to either of the accused. Joseph K Carpenter, bootmaker, deposed that in consequence of information given him by the night-watchman, about six months ago, he discovered his shop door open at about 1am, although he was certain he had locked the premises the previous evening. He identified several pairs of boots as missing from his shop. Alice Ericksen, wife of the accused Ericksen, recognised certain clothing, boots and shoes as being brought to her house. The two accused had worn some of the articles. Cronin stayed at her place one evening. Witness was told by them that articles of drapery came from Messrs Herbert and Co.’s and the boots from Mr Carpenter’s. She made slight alterations to some of the clothing worn by the accused. On another night they brought a quantity of groceries home, which they said they got from Messrs. J.W. Sturton and Co. Witness identified two skeleton keys which she saw her husband making in the kitchen. Cronin was in the house at the time, but, as far as she knew, he did not assist in the making of the keys. This happened about last January. She requested Cronin to take the keys away from her place and destroy them.

J. W. Sturton stated that he had had suspicions of his stock being disturbed, and in consequence got an extra bolt placed on the door of his establishment.

Constable Tanner deposed to a search warrant being issued and a search being made of Ericksen’s house at the corner of Mann and Albert streets on Friday. A quantity of goods was recovered. A search was also made of Cronin’s whare at Kumeroa on Saturday. Cronin, however, had gone to Pahiatua. Several missing articles of clothing, etc., were found in the whare, and also a bunch of skeleton keys. When informed that Ericksen had voluntarily made a confession, Cronin admitted being out one evening with Ericksen and helping him to carry some goods home. When questioned about the keys, Cronin said he had found them in his pocket after coming away from Ericksen’s. The accused Ericksen was put in the bo and the confession he had made was read out to him. He admitted being concerned in the thefts from various premises in January and February last, and detailed particulars of the goods stolen.
To Mr Russell: He had had a row with Cronin. The latter had planted the keys in his house. Constable Hewitt stated that Cronin some time ago was stopping at Ericksen’s place and the men were always together. The accused Cronin said that Ericksen asked him to assist him to carry some stuff from the back of Baucke’s premise, which he did. He asserted that he found the goods in his swag which did not belong to him, after he had had a row with Ericksen. There was a loaded revolver in the swag which witness discharged and threw into the river. The only theft he was connected with was that at Messrs Herbert and Co’s store. He then watched outside. The boots, he said, he purchased at Feilding and Masterton. Mr Russell said his clien had fallen into the hands of a notorious character. There were no previous convictions against Cronin, and he ahd been working consistently. He had admitted being an accessory to the theft at Messrs Herbert and Co’s establishment, but not guilty to the other charges.
The Bench, however, thought Cronins was just as much implicated in the thefts as Ericksen. Both accused were sentenced to three months had labour on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent.

A description of Edward was recorded: From Norway, labourer, born 1871, 5'8",fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, Tattoos (1) E.T.S Marie Hilgesen, ship & coat of arms on right arm (2) Louisa Victoria Brocher, heart & anchor & tombstone, left arm, (3) E.E.A on left hand, right leg shorter than the other.

Note: The naturalisation papers presented here for Edward Erikson present something of a mystery still to be solved. His birthdate is right, the spelling of his name is accurate but his middle name is missing and his occupation is listed as bootmaker. On the front of the papers there is a note telling of a change of name to SUNDELL. I have seen a marriage recorded for Edward Sundell to Mary Helen McClausland on the 7th of April 1894 in Christchurch. So it would seem to me that Edward Theodore Erikson did not get his naturalisation papers and indeed the papers presented here belong to another Edward.

Alice took the opportunity offered by Edwards' absence to leave him. She put all her elder children in an orphanage but took her latest baby daughter, Ivy with her and went to work, cooking on sheep stations in the area.

Alice applied for a divorce from Edward on the 5th of July 1917.
The petition of Alice Erikson of Masterton Housekeeper, sheweth as follows:-
The Petitioner was on the 15th day of November 1900 lawfully married to Edward Erikson, then a batchelor, at the office of the Registrar of Marriages at Wellington.
After her said marriage the Petitioner lived and cohabitated with her husband at Rakanui near Pahiatua in NZ and the Petitioner and her said husband had sissue of their marriage six children to wit:- Edward Albert Francis born on the 12 of February 1901, Eileen Helena Vulenza born on the 14th day of September 1902, Eric Claude born on the 27th day of April 1904, Allen Theodore born on the 25th day of January 1906, Roy Emanuel born on the 5th day of March 1908 and Ivy Mary born on the 30th day of January 1911.

On or about the 17th day of April 1912 the said Edward Erikson wilfully deserted the Petitioner without just cause and for five years and upwards nametly from that date down to the present time has continued to desert the Petitioner without just cause.

The Petitioner was born at Mason’s Flat Waikare in the District of North Canterbury in NZ and is now domicilded in NZ and resides in the town of Masterton.

The Petitioner’s said husband was born at Stvanger in Norway and now resides at Taihape in NZ.

Lionel Edmud Deacon of Taihape, Accountant issued the citation bearing the date of the 6th day of July, issued under the Seal of the court against the respondent in this cause to the said Edward Erikson on the 11th day of July 1917. The said Edward Erikson is personally known to me, he is a cripple and has one let shorter than the other.

Alice was next found in Napier living with Arthur Beacham. On the 1925 electoral roll, she is listed as Alice Beecham living at 68 Tennyson St, Napier. Arthur was a lovely man, a saddle maker, who took in all of Alice’s children. It took a while for the children to make the adjustment and must have caused all sorts of havoc. Alice became pregnant with Patrick Percy Beacham who was born in 1919. They never married.

The next event in Alice’s life was the Napier earthquake on Tuesday, Feb 3rd, 1931. Her own account is that she was in the basement of a hotel where she worked as a cook. The earthquake trapped her in the basement and while waiting for help she could see the fires approaching. She said that the fires stopped one door away on one side and two on the other and she was eventually rescued. None of the family she had left in Napier were hurt.

Alice is found next in Auckland marrying her sisters husband William Walter Dick. They married on the 14th of May 1937 in the registry office at Auckland. Alice moved in with William who owned a property on Tanekaha Rd, Titirangi. During acrimonious divorce proceedings 1939 - 1940, she accused him of cruelty and he commented that he was not in good health and that he was getting treatment for pernicious anemia and that he wasn't sure why Alice left him but that it all happened when her married daughter 'came on the scene'. He said he was working on the governement scheme No. 13, beautifying Titirangi and that since he was 60yrs old and unwell, that he doubted his employment would continue. He said Alice was living with Ivy at 19 Walton Ave and that he wanted her to return to him. However, they did not get together again.

Alice was a pedestrian when she was hit by a bus on the road outside the fire station in Pitt St in 1958. She only recovered partially from this accident in Middlemore Hospital and remained incapacitated for the rest of her life. For some time, when discharged from hospital she lived at 8 Princes St Mt Roskill, then at a resthome in Dominion Rd. Later she spent time in Carrington Hospital and then at a Catholic Home for the aged in Ponsonby where she died on the 28th of May 1966. She is buried at Waikumete cemetery RC Lawn Block B Sect 4 Plot 4.

Eliza Mary (Mary) BOOTH and William Walter DICK

2008-05-09T11:00:00.009+12:00

Eliza Mary, daughter of William Booth and Vulenza Welch, was born in Christchurch on the 14th December 1878. She married William Walter Dick on the 24th of June 1903 at her parents house. Eliza died on the 4th of February 1937 at Auckland NZ and is buried at Waikumete Wes Blk C Sect 29, plot 62.

Eliza, (Known more often as Mary) and William had six children.
The photo on the right is of Alice (Eliza's sister) and her husband William. After Eliza died, William married Alice. The photo to the left is of Eliza and presumably, two of her sons. Thanks to Auntie Lill for the photos.

William died on January 9th, 1946 at his residence of 99 Grange Rd, Mt Eden. He was buried at Waikumete cemetery. The funeral notice mentions 'loved father of Jack, Lynda, Alex and George.

John BOOTH and Mary Margaret DALTON

2008-05-09T10:54:00.004+12:00

'The friends of Mr John Booth are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his beloved wife, which will leave his residence, Fourth St, Waltham on Saturday May 6th at 2pm. H Scrimshaw Undertaker'
Headstone (Barbadoes Cemetery, Christchurch) reads: In your charity pray for the soul of Mary Margaret, the beloved wife of John Booth who departed this life 4 May 1876 age 28yrs.

Irene Vulenza (Renee) BOOTH and William Alfred SMITH

2008-05-08T20:37:00.007+12:00

Irene, the daughter of John Francis Booth and Bridget Touhny was born 1906 in Masterton NZ. She married William Alfred Smith on the 27th of March 1927 at the Whangarei registry office. They had a daughter Irene Dawn Robinson nee Smith. Bridget must have told Irene that her father was dead but in fact he was living in Auckland with Irene's two sisters.(See Irene's marriage certificate). Irene died on the 3rd of May 1978 in Auckland. She had been living Levin.

Kathleen Mary BOOTH and Arthur Malcom AMOS

2008-05-08T20:33:00.004+12:00

Kathleen, daughter of John Francis Booth and Bridget Tuohny was born on the 10th of August 1904. She lived most of her early life with her father and stepmother in Papatoetoe, Auckland. She married Arthur Malcom Amos in 1928. Kathleen died in 1996 in Auckland. They had two boys, Michael and Frederick.

Madeline Josephine BOOTH and Jack Alderton WOOD

2008-05-08T20:13:00.005+12:00

Madeline, daughter of John Francis (Frank) Booth and Bridget Tuohny was born on the 4th of February 1907. She lived most of her early life with her father and stepmother in Papatoetoe Auckland. She married Jack Alderton Wood in 1933 and they farmed at Karaka, Auckland. Madeline died on the 10th November 1984 in Auckland and Jack died on the 24th of July 1976.

John Francis (Frank) BOOTH

2008-05-08T15:40:00.017+12:00

John Francis (Frank), son of William Booth and Vulenza Welsh was born in Christchurch on the 14th November 1880. He married Bridget Tuohy on the 28th of January 1905 at the registry office in Auckland. His mother and father were witnesses at the wedding. They had three children when they divorced. Frank married Ellen (Nellie) Chadwick in 1913 and took the two eldest girls Madeline and Kathleen to live with him and his new wife. Bridget also remarried in 1913 to Peter Alfred Anderson. Frank and Nellie were living in Wellington in 1919 but had moved to Auckland and were living at Landscape Rd, Papatoetoe by the 1941 electoral roll, his occupation listed as painter. Madeline and Kathleen never knew they had another sister Renee. (Thanks to Joan Wood for the following), Madeline and Kathleen didn't visit each other much after they married because their husbands didn't get on. During WW2, Frank and Ellen took in evacuees and received an Illuminated Address from the Queen for their work. Frank was cremated on the 22nd of November 1963 and Ellen on the 26th of August 1968. Their last address was 7 Warwick Avenue, Papatoetoe, Auckland.

Julia Agnes BOOTH and Thomas HOBAN

2008-05-08T11:56:00.028+12:00

Julia Agnes, daughter of William Booth and Julia Manning was born in 1845 in Mullingar, co Westmeath, Ireland. She came to NZ in 1862 on the Victory with her parents and married Thomas Hoban (One of three brothers)on the 26th July 1867 at Christchurch at the Catholic church. She died on the 14th February 1892 aged 49yrs at Mason's Flat, Canterbury, NZ. Thomas died on the 27th of December 1899 aged 64 at Hawarden. Thomas remarried. (Copy of card file from Christchurch library follows)

Julia gave birth to a child she named Catherine BOOTH on the 3rd Sept 1866 before her marriage to Thomas. Catherine was baptised by Fth Chervier of the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch.

Thomas and Julia HOBAN's first child (Michael William) was born at 'Stonyhurst' the North Canterbury farm of the Clifford family, on the coast just north of Motunau. In 1872 for the birth of the third child (Austin) they were working on a Culverden property. In 1874 on Julia Catherine's birth, Thomas gives his occupation as farmer, Amberley. In 1877 Thomas bought Rural Section 4442 on the North Rd at Amberley. He was a butcher at Amberley. This is where their sixth child (Mary Elizabeth) was born. Sometime before 1881, they moved to Masons Flat area and lived at a leasehold farm called 'The Grange' as well as leasing various other blocks.

Julia and Thomas had nine children.

Mason's Flat
John O'Carroll was a storekeeper, postmaster and had a farm called 'Woodgrove' at the Masons Flat corner. Masons Flat has at various times been referred to as Woodgrove and as Willowby. There was local dissent over which name was correct. Some locals even refer to different sides of the Masons Flat corner by different names. For a crossroads with an engineers workshop (formerly the blacksmiths), it is unreal that it almost has suburbs. No doubt the O'Carrolls thought it should be Woodgrove for their property on the SW side of the intersection, the Dalzells had the farm called 'Willowby' on the NE side and the Masons farm was on the NW side of the corner, as was the Mason Flat School. (Ann)

A short history of Brackenbridge and other small places mentioned on certificates.

In 1862 sections in the township of Leithfield were advertised. This new town was promoted by John Leith who planned it round his accommodation house on the Kowai with streets and a terrace overlooking the rather dreary shingle bed of that usually dry stream. Leithfield became a stage for the Hurunui and Waiau coaches and a post office, two hotels, a wind-driven flourmill, two flaxmills and a number of business premises.

The investigation by the Railway and Bridge Commission into a route for the railway north of Christchurch in 1864 gave rise to another four township speculations in the same area – Brackenbridge, Balcairn, Amberley and Amesbury. Amberly was subdivided by Mrs Carter of Seadown who put it on the market in October 1864, a month after the Commission issued its report, but apart from a handful of residents, a blacksmith, a wheelwright and a carpenter, the site lay dormant until the arrival of the railway line nine years later. The same fate awaited Balcairn which was subdivided by John Leith and which came on the market in January 1865 advertised as ‘The Depot of the North’. Another township site named Amesbury appeared in 1866 and when James Coutts Crawford a Wellington gentleman of many parts, cut up the land above Northport into small-holdings. Brackenbridge, near Brackenfield, was subdivided by Frederick Weld.

William WELCH and Mary Ann

2008-04-12T19:27:00.005+12:00

William WELCH born Cardinham, Cornwall married Mary Ann ?.
The census data adds a lot of detail still to be investigated, for instance, who were the Dennison's?

Vulenza WELCH

2008-04-12T17:58:00.018+12:00

Vulenza WELCH, daughter of William WELCH and Mary A was born in 1851 in St Neot Cornwall England. Other names for Vulenza were Eulnza BENYULES, Mary WALLENSA, Valenzia WELCH, Vulenza Mary WELCH, Venenza WELSH.

Vulenza married Abraham Benynes on the 21st of August 1871in Plymouth Devon. Abraham was a stoker in the RN, his father was listed as Abraham deceased and he'd been a mason. (The Benyunes family was Jewish and had been domiciled in Gibralter for 300 yrs). On the 1871 census, Abraham had been a crew member on the RN vessel 'HMS Indus', status, single. On the 1881 census he is listed as single, part of the crew of the 'Agincourt'. Some time before the 1891 census, Abraham married Mary and had a child Rosa. So it seems Vulenza and Abraham agreed to part for some reason.

After immigration to NZ in 1873, Vulenza married William Henry BOOTH, son of William BOOTH and Judith MANNING, on 14 Oct 1875 in Christchurch New Zealand.

Noted events in her life were:

1861 British Census: Pool Cottage, North Hill, Cornwall, England. Relationship, daughter, aged 9yrs, born at St Neot, Cornwall.
1871 British Census: Bodmin Cornwall England. Vulenza Welsh, Servant, unmarried, age 19yrs. She was working for Spry Harris aged 34yrs wife Julia 30yrs and daughter Emma 1yr.
She emigrated 'Adamant' To New Zealand on 17 Oct 1873.(1) On the passenger list as Benyunes Venenza aged 22 from Cornwall. Domestic Servant. Total cost of passage Money to the Government, £16.10s.
On the 1893 Electoral Roll of NZ her address was listed as Palmerston North New Zealand, occupation wife.
On the 1900 Electoral Roll of NZ her address was listed as Ohau, Manuwatu, New Zealand, occupation Settler. On the 1905 Electoral Roll of NZ her address was listed as Queen St, Masterton, occupation Married.
On the 1908 Electoral Roll of NZ her address was listed as Queen St, Masterton, occupation Married.
No more mention of her on the electoral rolls, she disappears and to date, has not been located.

They had six children.

Passenger manifest

As I said before, there has been no word of Vulenza's fate, almost a wall of silence. However, one entry I did find in the police gazettes whilst searching for mention of her disapperance is a remote possibility though very inconclusive and that is of a prisoner discharged from goal at Wanganui in 1907.
Eliza Southee alias Booth alias Tall 17th Nov 1906, vagrancy 1mth, born England 1851, prostitute, 5'1", fresh complexion, brown hair, blue eyes, small nose. Went on to serve other periods in jail.

William BOOTH and (A) Mary CONNEL and (B) Julia (Judith) MANNING

2008-04-11T19:29:00.023+12:00

William BOOTH was born c1810 in Ireland and died on 24 Jan
1896 in Christchurch New Zealand at age 86, and was buried on the 26 Jan 1896 in Christchurch, Linwood Cemetery RC.

Noted events in his life were:

He worked as a Blacksmith in 1892. From Julia (daughter's) Death Certificate.
His death certificate (Folio No. 388/1896) stated; married Julia Maning or Waring in Ireland aged 26yrs. Undertakers Langford. Surviving Children: 2M, 39,41 3F, Ages unknown, been in NZ for 31yrs. He was ill with Leukemia/Old age and died on 22 Jan 1896.
His funeral was held on 26 Jan 1896. The notice said, The friends of the late William Booth are respectfully invited to attend his funeral leaving his late residence, Lincoln Rd, for the Cathedral, Barbadoes St, and Public Cemetery, this Day, W Langford, Undertaker, cnr of North and East Belts. Telephone 387 (Local Newspaper 14th Jan 1896)

William married Mary CONNELL on the 11 Jul 1838 in Mullingar Co.Westmeath Ireland. He then remarried in Mullingar on the 11th May 1840 to Judith Manning. Judith died on 13 Jan 1896 in Christchurch New Zealand and was buried on 15 Jan 1896 in Christchurch, Linwood Cemetery Rc. They had five children: Julia Agnes, John, William Henry, Elizabeth (Eliza) and Theresa

Noted events in her life were:

Her funeral was held on 14 Jan 1896. The notice said, The friends of Mr Booth are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of his late wife, Julia, leaving his residence, 69 Lincoln Rd for the Cathedral, Barbadoes St, at 9:15am. Requim Mass at 10am. Public cemetery at 2pm on Wednesday the 15th. W Langford, Undertakers.
Death Certificate: 13 Jan 1896, Christchurch. Lived Lincoln Rd, Christchurch. Age 76. (Born 1820). Cause of death; Pleurisy 6 weeks. Parent, F J Manning, occupation traveller. Buried 15 Jan 1896 Linwood Cemetery. Roman Catholic. Born in Ireland. Been in NZ 31 yrs (1865). Married in Ireland age 17 (1837) to William Booth. Issue living, 2 males aged about 42yrs and 40yrs. 3 females ages unknown.

Searching Christchurch national archives turned up the following.

'Report of the committee appointed to enquire into the Prayer of the Petition on unemployment. Canterbury Provincial Govt July 1867.' From William Booth, Jobbing Smith. I have been in the Province four years next October, I came out direct from home. I have not earned a shilling since last April because I cannot shoe horses. I live near the orphan asylum. There are not many, to my knowledge, without work in the neighbourhood. I have a family of seven, two little children and three able to work. I think we could live on 6s or 7s a week each. I don't know any smiths that are out of work. I think I could get a job up the country but not in town if I could shoe horses.

Petition to His Honor the Superintendent of Industrial Classes distress, Canterbury. (Sorry, I forgot to note the date for this). Signed by William Booth Blacksmith, John Booth, farm servant, William Booth, farm servant.

Charitable Aid 5th April 1875
William Booth age 60, 4 children, boys 27, 23 girls 16, 14

Conflicting dates and ages make it difficult to confirm who was who. I originally had the childrens' names down as Julia born 1844, John born 1849, William Henry born 1851 and Eliza, age unknown. But then I found the following marriage at national archives.
George Francis Trask born Christchurch NZ married Theresa Mary Booth on the 31st Dec 1882 born Westmeath, Ireland. George's parents were George Lawrence Trask, butcher and Isabella Johnston. Theresa's parents were William Booth, labourer and Eliza Manning. George was 21 and Theresa was 23. They married at St Lukes, Christchurch which I believe is Anglican. So Eliza must be the youngest, born around 1861.

From Patrica in Westmeath. (How many Booth's have lived in Westmeath? I could not find many but the article below cannot be connected with our family without further research being done).
Will give you the little I have n the Booth's in Athlone.
"Goods which came to Athlone by barge would have been brought ashore at St Peter's Port with a payment of tax or excise.
A deed of 1801 in the name of John Booth describes the St Peters Port plot (or as it was described in the deeds Glasses Plot) with the "ancient mansion house thereon, with outhouses, stables, gardens, watercourses and fishings...". On the eastern end of this plot he erected Booths Brewere (1801 -1807) in which enterpirse he was partnered by his brother William. It is said that Booth levied a charge of two-pence on every boat load that was brought through the port and was thus nicknamed "Copper-fisted Jack".
John Booth had a dispute, probably concerning the coveted right-of-way to the Port with two of his fellow townsmen William Sproule and James Potts.
The case went to the courts and Booth won but rather be content with that victory he perpetated his bitter feelings by erecting a couplet either side of the gate.
"O May Not Satan's Agents Enter"
"Will o wisp and Jack the Printer"
Sproule being referred to as 'Will of Wisp" and Potts as "Jack the Printer". It is said that Booth even left instructions in his will that if any of his descendants would ever remove these stones that the property would pass out of their hands.
The stones from St Peters Port on display in the museum in Athlone Castle include the tablets with the famous couplet inscribed on them, the key stone of the arch which has a monks head on it and carries the initials "I.B." (John Booth and the Sheela-na-Gig or female fertility carving of medieval times which was probably removed from the nearby Cluniac Monastery by Booth for safe keeping." Taken from the Westmeath Independent Special Supplement 1996

Births, deaths and marriages for Westmeath include the following entries. One cannot assume all these belong to the same family but my gut feeling is that they do.
Birth William 1805 [parents George and Esther]
Birth Mary 1807
Birth Ester 1809
Birth Mary 1811
Birth Susanna 1832
Birth Edward 1835
Birth Sarah Jane 1836
Birth Esther 1839
Birth Judith 1841
Birth Elizabeth 1846
Birth John 1849 [parents William and Judith]
Birth William 1851 [parents William and Judith]
Birth Maria 1857
Birth Theresa 1858 [parents William and Judith]
Birth Ellen Ellen 1859
Death Elizabeth Robinson 1824
Death Thomas 1869
Marriage William 1839 to Mary Connell
Marriage William 1840 to Judith Manning
Marriage Esther 1858
Marriage George 1868

William's property in Christchurch was sold by the Public Trust to the Railway Dept in April 1904 for

£2000. There was a dispute between the Public Trust and the council on the payment of the 1904/1905 rates which was charged to the Estate of William Booth by mistake. I presume they are talking about 96 Lincoln Rd although it doesn't say in the papers regarding the dispute. (Christchurch National Archives). There is no probate issued at Christchurch for a William Booth around the time that he died in 1896. The Public Trust may have taken some time to do the probate and it may be the one filed in Wellington in 1903. I was surprised that our William Booth had any property so until a probate is found it may be too presumptive to expect that this dispute is our's!

Arrival in New Zealand. According to William's own testamony, he arrived in New Zealand in October 1863 and this accords with the arrival of the 'Victory' on the 13th of October 1863. Amongst the passengers are Julia, Maria, Eliza and John Booth but the passenger list doesn't mention William and Judith (the parents) or Theresa and William jnr the two youngest children. This has always puzzled me.

William BOOTH 1851 - 1934

2008-04-10T19:55:00.007+12:00

William Henry BOOTH, son of William BOOTH and Judith (Julia) Manning, was born on the 11 Oct 1851 in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland. He came to NZ about 1861 and married Vulenza Welch. He died on 22 Oct 1934 in Auckland New Zealand at age 82, and was buried on 23 Oct 1934 in Waikumete Cem Rc Blk C Sect 20 Plot 85. The grave has no headstone. No-one in the family had the money, it was the great depression.

Noted events in his life were:

Marriage Witnesses: Mary Booth, stokers wife and Daniel McKendry, labourer, both of Christchurch, 14 Oct 1875.
Intention to Marry: 1875, Christchurch New Zealand. William Booth, batchelor, Labourer, 22yrs, in NZ for 8yrs.
He was employed as a labourer at NZ Railways in 1876 in Christchurch. 7/- per day 1876,6/- per day 20 Sept 1880. On the 07 March 1881 was transferred from Blacksmiths to Paint & Taupaulin shop, 22 Nov 1884 left the service.
Wises Directory: Hazelden Road, Christchurch, 1878 - 79.
He resided at Monteal St, Sth Sydenham, Christchurch on 15 Feb 1885 (from Frederick Charles Booth's baptismal certificate),
He retired Okaiawa, Taranaki. Remembered by Linda Grayling and Lill Pritchard as staying with them on their father's farm for some time. (See photo taken of him at the farm).
On the 1893 Electoral Roll of NZ his address was listed as Palmerston North New Zealand, occupation labourer.
On the 1900 Electoral Roll of NZ his address was listed as Ohau, Manuwatu, New Zealand, occupation Village Settler.
On the 1905 Electoral Roll of NZ his address was listed as Queen St, Masterton, occupation Grocer.
On the 1908 Electoral Roll of NZ his address was listed as Masterton New Zealand, occupation Grocer.
Police File: Vagrancy, 27 Aug 1908, Auckland New Zealand. Sentence remanded. From Ireland, Labourer, Born 1852, 5'6", sallow complexion, grey hair, blue eyes, large nose, discharged 29 Aug 1908.
He was in the hospital for Auckland Charitable Aid Board on 1 Feb 1924 in Auckland. The record stated he's been living at 40 Argyle Street, Morningside, that he was married and had been in the district 1 year and had previously been in the Dominion 59 years. He had no home. It gave his sons details as follows:

William Henry aged 47yrs, single, labourer, address unknown.
John Francis, aged 44 yrs, wife, 2 children, painter, Papatoetoe
Frederick, aged 40 yrs, wife, 3 children, painter, Hawera
Ernest, aged 37yrs, wife, 4 children, sharemilker, Manitihi

Death Certificate: Folio No. 3226, 22 Oct 1934, St Joseph's Home, Ponsonby Auckland. W Little, Undertaker. Born Ireland. Came to NZ over 70 years ago. Aged 82. occupation Gardener. Cause of Death, renal sclerosis. Seen by Dr C.Murphy 20 Oct 1934. Buried Waikumete 23 October 1934 by J Mansfield, Roman Catholic, officiating minister. Married Christchurch aged 21yrs to Valenza Welch, no widow. Surviving children, M 53,48.40 F 55,50
His funeral was arranged by Mrs W. Dick, 151 Balmoral Road on 23 Oct 1934. Cost £21. To be held Tuesday 2pm. Coffin Cheap, Hearse only, Wife entered on Cemetery records as Linda Burns.
William married Vulenza Benyunes WELCH, daughter of William WELCH and Mary A WELCH on 14 Oct 1875 in Christchurch New Zealand, there is no record of her death.

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