John was born in 1868 in Gilford, County Down, Ireland, the son of William Johnston, a labourer, and Betty Ann Skillen.[1] He was baptised in Tullylish Parish Church, Gilford on 05-Feb-1868.[2]
He was educated at Gilford No 1 Day National School, Gilford, County Down from 1874 to 1876.[3]
In 1888 John married Annie Livingston, also from Edenderry, in Seagoe Parish Church (St Gobhan's) in Portadown, County Armagh, The witnesses were James Johnston and Eliza Livingston. At the time he was a carpenter living in Edenderry, Portadown.[4]
They had 9 children and in 1901 they were living in Edenderry with their family. John is still a carpenter.[5] In 1911 the family are still living in Edenderry but John is boarding in Cork, County Cork and is a builder's foreman (he is probably there for work).[6] In 1901 the family are Church of Ireland (Episopalian) but by 1911 the family are Brethren.
A notice in the Portadown Times of 24-Feb-1939 read:
Late Mr J M Johnston
Genuine sorrow has been occasioned by the immediate family circle and amongst a wide circle of friends by the death, which occurred on Sunday at his residence, 37 Hanover St., of Mr John M Johnston. The late Mr Johnston, who was abed with illness for over four years, bore his suffering with great fortitude. Prior to his illness the deceased gentleman worked as a foreman with Messrs. Golding and Co., contractors, Dublin.
We offer sincerest sympathy to the sorrowing wife, Mrs Annie Johnston, and surviving daughters and sons. The daughters are Mrs Smith (Detroit) and Misses Annie and Winnie Johnston. Sons are Rev. William John Johnston B.A., B.D., ex-Moderator of Toronto Presbytery; Mr James Johnston, Vancouver, who is partner in a large packing company,; Mr Robert Johnston, known as secretary of the 'Ulster Home Week' Committee; Mr Thomas Johnston, Montreal, who when in Portadown was a well-known athlete, and is now manager of a department in Messrs. Eaton's, Montreal; Rev. Malcolm Johnston, of Ferris, Ontario; and Richard Johnston, the Waterford F.C. player, formerly of Glentoran and Portadown.
The funeral, which, despite the inclement weather, was largely attended, took place to Seagoe burying-ground.
Rev. G.A. McIlwrath and Mr J.R. Diack conducted the service in the house, the latter officiating at the graveside. At the graveside service, revs. G.A. McIlwrath, J.B. Jameson and W. M'Geahey were present.
The chief mourners were - Messrs. Richard Johnston, son; Stephen Kelly, Alex. Thornton, David McNulty, Robert Livingstone, Joseph Grimason, brothers-in-law; Ernest Johnston, Stephen Kelly, jun., Wilson Thornton, James Johnston, jun., Albert Grimason, Walter Grimason, Albert Grimason, jun., Sydney Grimason, nephews; George Craig, Aaron Smyth, Wm. Orr, Charles Orr, Robert Livingston, Alfred Magowan, George Smith, Ernest Hewitt, Oscar Totten, relatives.
Wreaths were from - Sorrowing wife and family; Board of Egenton United Church, Toronto; Sister Annie, husband and family; Sister Mary Jane, husband and family; Albert, Rosie and wee Albert; Mr and Mrs Craig and family.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr J. Montgomery.
↑ General Register Office (Northern Ireland) D/1939/176/1021/39/390 John Johnston 19th February 1939 64 years Male Lurgan.
DNA Research
Parental relationship is confirmed with a Family Tree DNA Family Finder match between Margaret Anne Johnston and Pamela Mary Mason, second cousins once removed, sharing 121 cMs with a longest block of 59 cMs.
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with John by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with John: