John Johnston Taieri/Waiwera

[emsquared]

Thanks Spades.  Yes that would be good.  I have only a copy of the cert.  It does not give occupation of the bridal couple.

Wivenhoe - Re the family I can explain that by attaching my research


•         Elizabeth Johnston, born 1859 (folio #334) Dunedin
•         Martha Johnston, born 1861 (folio #439) Taieri
•         Anne Johnston, born 1862 (folio #325) Christchurch*
•         Jane Johnston, born 1864 (folio #611) Dunedin
•         William Johnston, born 1866 (folio #979) Warepa
•         Catherine Johnston, born 1868 (folio #1291) Kaihiku, Warepa
•         Mary Wylie Johnston, born 1870 (folio #1084) Oamaru*
•         Joan Johnston, born 1871, Jan. to March quarter (folio #1443) Popotunoa
*These are not likely part of the family because of their place of birth.

So Anne and Mary Wylie are not part of the family.  But my Mary's death cert and her wedding cert list parents as John Johnston and Elizabeth Bell.  And her death cert records that she was born at Clinton.  Further confirmation is provided by the identification of William, Catherine and Mary Johnston at the Caversham Industrial School.

Further they were married at a private house in Taieri and the Minister was William Will. Witnesses were AJ Burns JP and William Gibson

Emsquared

[emsquared]

In relation to the two references to Elizabeth and her daughter Elizabeth being identified for theft I am unable to establish this is my Elizabeth Johnston (nee Bell). It seems to have occurred in Dunedin.  By then the family was living near Clinton.  You people have confirmed the Industrial School connection. Thanks for that. I have a request in at Archives NZ for records from the School 1880 to 1885 which apparently they do hold.

[minniehaha]

Did you manage to find the death registration for John Johnston?

Minniehaha.

[spades]

I am not convinced that the sailor discharged at Port Chalmers is my John Johnston.  The spelling of Johnstone is different and the age does not align with the marriage cert date.  I also suspect my John Johnston hails from Scotland.

John JOHNSTONE hailed from Wigton, Scotland (properly Wigtonshire), and he arrived at Otago in the correct year by your estimation, 1849. The Mooltan list notes that he was discharged, i.e. remained in the province when the Mooltan departed.

I wouldn't place much weight on the discrepancy of the surname spelling or the ages/dates. These were/still are often incorrect depending on the informant's knowledge.

I don't think you should discount him just yet.

Spades

[emsquared]

Thanks Spades.

Yes I agree re the dates and spelling.  I certainly don't discount that this may be my relative. Incorrect dates are often entered by informants and maybe there are errors in transcribing. Johnston/Johnstone/Johnson seem to be often interchanged.  I just need more to make the link.  Will keep searching.

I have not applied for a death cert for John Johnston as the two on BDM NZ matching the date of death do not match in age and also place of death. One in Hokitika and one in Nelson.  The date of death is 10 October 1875 as per affidavit.

The issue raised in a previous post highlight the challenges. According to BDM NZ records my Mary Johnston has different parents. But her marriage and death cert track her back to parents John and Elizabeth. This is supported by the names of the 3 sibling children at Caversham (William, Catherine, Mary).  I also have a close DNA link to descendants of Jane.   

[emsquared]

Further to the possibility of John Johnston discharged from ship at Port Chalmers in 1849 I note that Peter McGill from the same home town was also discharged at the same time. Assuming Wigstownshire Scotland the following census information from 1841 was found.

https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a158ea6f4040b9d6eaac396/john-johnston-1841-wigtownshire-inch-1826-?locale=en
https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/5a15901cf4040b9d6eac631f/peter-mcgill-1841-wigtownshire-stoneykirk-1826-?locale=en

Very Promising - Right age, right town.

No Peter McGill found in 1851 but what could be the same John Johnston, now married with 3 children.

https://www.freecen.org.uk/search_records/59066ed4e9379091b1ef31cc/john-johnston-1851-wigtownshire-old-luce-1825-?locale=en

[spades]

Hi,

That information certainly lends more weight to the premise, however note that their place of origin was Wigtownshire, no 's'.

Spades

[spades]

Hi Emsquared,

Can you tell me the precise date of the 1858 marriage, please.

Spades

[wivenhoe]

This for John JOHNSTON -

"...There is also a suggestion that he had been in NZ for 9 years at that time."

Where do you see this suggestion?


What happened to these children between mother's death, 1871, and father's death, 1875.....at which point children went into institutional care? Father John JOHNSTON would not be able to care for these children.

What cause of death do you see for Elizabeth JOHNSTON, died 1871?

What cause of death do you see for John JOHNSTON, died 1875?


"... I have evidence that  Jane (1864) was looked after by a Mr Clifford, the postmaster at Clinton at the time. "

What is this evidence?

The more you know about the children of John JOHNSTON and Elizabeth BELL, the greater the chance to find, hopefully, a JOHNSTON relative around at the tine of Elizabeth JOHNSTON nee BELL and........ John JOHNSTON'S deaths.

The marriage certificate, 1858....do Elizabeth BELL and John JOHNSTON sign their names...are they literate?