Catherine Nellie Johnston

Who was Miss Catherine Nellie Johnston?

Miss Catherine Nellie Johnston was a 7 (seven) year-old English passenger who tragically lost her life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born in Croydon, Surrey, England on February 19, 1905, she was traveling with her family as a third-class passenger when the disaster struck on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Family

Scottish Heritage

Catherine Nellie Johnston came from a Scottish background. Her parents were:

• Father: Andrew Emslie Johnston (born 1876), a plumber from Aberdeenshire
• Mother: Elizabeth “Eliza” Watson (born 1876), originally from the Isle of Skye

The couple had married in Glasgow in 1902, three years before Catherine’s birth. Catherine had one sibling:

• Brother: William Andrew Johnston (born 1903)

Life in England

The Johnston family made their home in England, settling in the Surrey area. According to the 1911 census, they resided at:

21 Luna Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey

This census record provides a glimpse into Catherine’s early life, showing her as a young girl of about 6 years old at the time.

The Decision to Emigrate

Family Connections and Aspirations

The Johnstons’ decision to leave England for America was influenced by several factors:

1. Catherine’s maternal aunt, Margaret Ann Ford, lived in Sussex, England
2. Margaret’s daughter Frances was already working in the United States as a domestic servant
3. Frances’ accounts of a better life in America impressed both the Johnston and Ford families

Inspired by these stories of opportunity, both families decided to embark on a new life across the Atlantic. They were joined by Alice Harknett, a friend of the Watsons, making it a party of ten in total.

Initial Travel Plans

The journey to America faced several setbacks:

• Original sailing date: October 1911 (postponed to wait for the Fords)
• Initial booking: Passage on the Philadelphia
• Final change: Due to a coal strike, they were rebooked on the Titanic

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Boarding and Ticket Details

• Embarkation Point: Southampton
• Passenger Class: 3rd Class
• Ticket Number: W./C. 6607
• Ticket Cost: £23, 9s (23 pounds, 9 shillings)

The Tragic Outcome

Sadly, the entire party of ten, including young Catherine Nellie Johnston, perished in the sinking of the Titanic. The disaster occurred on April 15, 1912, when Catherine was just 7 (seven) years old.

Their bodies, if recovered, were never identified.

Legacy

While Catherine Nellie Johnston’s life was tragically cut short, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the many young lives lost in the Titanic disaster. It highlights the dreams and aspirations of immigrant families seeking a better life, only to have those hopes dashed by one of the most infamous maritime tragedies in history.

The tale of the Johnston family, intertwined with that of the Fords and their friend Alice Harknett, illustrates the close-knit nature of many of the passenger groups on the Titanic. Their collective loss underscores the devastating impact the sinking had on entire families and communities.

Today, Catherine Nellie Johnston is remembered as one of the youngest victims of the Titanic, a child whose potential future was tragically lost to the cold waters of the North Atlantic.