Anne (O'Brien) Johnston (abt. 1847 - 1932)

Born about 1847 in Dublin, Ireland [uncertain]

Wife of William Henry Johnston — married 8 Dec 1870 in Sydney, New South Wales

Descendants

Died 22 Sep 1932 at about age 85 in Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Geoffrey Johnston [send private message]

Biography

Birth

• Anne was born in about 1847 in Dublin, Ireland. (The date is based on the data from the Birth Certificates of her children)
• Her parents are Patrick O'Brien and Anne Darcy (?).
• She has 4 siblings - Edward, Thomas, Sarah and Patrick.

Baptism

• She was baptised a Catholic at some time in Ireland.

Migration

• Anne migrated from Ireland to Australia, with her parents and siblings, at sometime after 1860 to before 1870. It was probably between 1864-1865, when she was about 17 to 18.

Marriage

• On 8 December 1870, at the age of 23, she married an William Henry Johnston, who was 36.
• They were married at 41 Burton Street according to Anglican rites, even though she is a Catholic.
• William and Anne has 6 children - William. Eric. Clifford. Cyril, Ariel and Athel.
• The mixed marriage (Catholic and Presbyterian would have later consequences)
• After the marriage they lived in various addresses in Underwood Street in Paddington.
• After her marriage the rest of her family moved to Inverell.

Death of her husband

• When her husband died in 1895 Anne knew that because of the difference in their religion that the two of them could not be buried together.
• Anne organised for William to be buried with his mother (who has died 21 years earlier), so he would not be alone. But this may have become a problem for her.

Death and Burial

• Anne died on 21/22 September 1932 at her home at 23 Underwood Street. This was 37 years after her husband.
• The actual date varies according to different scources
• She was buried in the Catholic section of Rookwood Cemetery at some point in September 1932.
• She was placed into the grave with her unmarried daughter Ariel, who had died four years earlier. Grave 717, Row 22, Section 3, Catholic Cemetery.

Sources

• Family History notes of Geoff Johnston
• Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950 / 1153/1870
• Sydney and New South Wales, Australia, Sands Street Index, 1861-1930 / 1890 in Underwood Street
• Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 / 13872/1932
• Nsw, Australia, Index to Deceased Estate Files, 1923-1958 / 21 September 1932
• Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007 / 21 September 1932
• Australia and New Zealand, Find a Grave Index, 1800s-Current / 22 September 1932
• Sydney, Australia, Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003 / 22 September 1932