Mary Booth

Biography contributed by Brian McGlinchy

Mary was born on 8 May 1862. Her parents were Louise Maria Catherine COLST and John (Johann) Henry Frederick LANGE from Nelson and she was baptised as Maria Anna Christina LANGE. They were part of a settlement of German families who settled in Ranzau (now Hope) in the 1850s.

At some stage some of the family seem to have both moved to the settlements just north of Christchurch and to have shed the “e” from the surname. A good number of them also anglicised their Christian names. Maria being a good example, as she became known as Mary.

Mary LANG married James William BOOTH on 15 June 1887 at Waikuku.

James William BOOTH was the son of Sarah BOOTH (nee HEATHET) and was born at Woodend in 1863. James died on 4 January 1905. His death notice stated 'As a result of an accident.'

Mary was registered on the electoral roll for Kaiapoi up to and including 1900 and following her husband’s death she lived at Saltwater Creek and later at Sefton with members of the extended LANG family who are recorded in the Hurunui electorate.

She died suddenly on 18 August 1933 and is buried with her husband in the Woodend Methodist cemetery. Their daughter, Sarah Louise BOOTH is buried alongside the grave of Mary and James.

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