7 August 1863 'Annandale' Lyttleton Street Launceston Tasmania Australia Patrick Lord Johnston Margaret Jean, Kenneth Bell & Ian George

Mrs Edith Johnston and her twin Rosa (1863-1865) were two of nine children born to William Thomas Bell (1828-1885) and his wife Jane Gee Foster (1832-1867) who married in 1851. W T Bell, of 'Ashfield', St Leonards, was a well-known auctioneer in Launceston. Four of Edith's brothers and sisters died young and then, when Edith was four, her mother died. Her father married a second time to Annie Foster in 1868. They had twins but they both died young. Annie died in Mar 1877.

On 7 Jan 1886, when she was 23, Edith married Patrick Lord Johnston at St Martin's Church, Hawksburn, Victoria. Their three chidren were born in Launceston: Margaret, 1894-1978; Kenneth, 1896 and Ian, 1901. She won several prizes for floral arrangements at the Tasmanian Exhibition in 1891-92. Edith died aged 67 on 25 Sep 1930 in Launceston and was buried with her husband Patrick who had died in 1902. Patrick is also pictured in the Family Album.

Barbara Valentine & Marion Sargent Mar 2009