Comments on: Johnston Mausoleum

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:37:36 +0000

Thi sounds like a case for History Detectives on PBS. Sorabji, have you contacted them? They can do a very thorough job and it seems worthy that they may accept this as an assignment.

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:05:53 +0000

I’ve always wondered who the Johnston’s were.
I’m a funeral director and get to Calvary often.
First Calvary is my favorite cemetery. I too
wander around, it’s such a peaceful place
especially in the spring. Thanks for your info.

By: sorabji

sorabji — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:46:02 +0000

I read that source, too, though off hand I can’t recall where it was. An old newspaper archive, I think? I have seen widely varying accounts of what the Johnston tomb cost, but none of the sources had any citations for their numbers, so I am not sure what to believe. I have also done some new research into the structure the past many months but have yet to collate it or add it to these pages.

By: Janice DeRosa

Janice DeRosa — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:32:04 +0000

I read on another website that the Johnston Mausoleum which is made of Quincy granite cost $50,000.00 when construction started in 1880. By 1883 it still had not been completed and the cost had risen to $67,000.00. The final cost was $100,000.00 making more sense than $300,000.00 which was an exorbitant amount of money at that time.

By: sorabji

sorabji — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:36:15 +0000

Kathleen – It’s exciting to hear from you! I had done no small amount of research into the Johnston brothers, and your message could motivate me to resume that project. I had found a handful of articles in various newspapers of the day, with one front-page story about the mighty mausoleum at Calvary. I, too, would be interested in seeing the article you mention from the Irish paper in the early 1900s, and any other materials you can point us to.

By: Kathleen Johnston

Kathleen Johnston — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:24:07 +0000

I have read your account of the Johnston Family in USA and would like to read any recent information you have on the same. My father, John Johnston, RIP, Co Fermanagh, N Ireland, was a descendent of the Johnston Family you have written about. There was a newspaper article (printed in an Irish newspaper) published when a legacy was sent back to The Johnston Family in Boho, Co Fermanagh in the early 1900′s. I have read this but do not have a copy and would dearly love one. My father and his siblings received the legacy and it improved their lives immensely. It was a Godsend when farming was the lifeblood of their community. I have only heard stories of how the older generations managed their farms and admire their intelligence when education was limited to say the least. There were hard times and my father was the youngest member of five, whose parents both passed away when he was approximately five/seven years old. His aunt and uncle reared the family.

As I grew up, I only heard short accounts of emigration and how my father learned of his ancestors being in New York. As a proud member of this family, I would like to be able to tell my children about their Grandfather and his family history. Myself and my brother are the only two remaining members of the family to still carry the Johnston name. This is why I would like to know more and keep the name of my father and his family alive in my lifetime.

Any articles you have would be welcome.

Thank you for your time, Kathleen