Andrew Emslie Johnston was a native of Bodham, Aberdeen in Scotland. He was born there in 14 May 1876. His father was a meal miller by the name of William Johnston and his mother was Catherine Emslie, both originated from Aberdeenshire. Andrew had four brothers and two sisters. Their names (in order of birth) were William, William Charles, Catherine, Helen, James Tythler and Peter.
They all went to the same local New Machar school and on leaving school, Andrew became apprenticed to a plumbing business and in time became a master plumber. During that time he met Elizabeth Watson. On 24 December 1902 he married her in Glasgow. The couple settled in Croydon, Surrey, England and had two children: William Andrew and Catherine Nellie.
Elizabeth had an older sister, Margaret, living in Sussex. Margaret's daughter Frances Ford, had been working in the United States and would share wonderful stories that got Margaret hooked to the idea of also starting a new life in the States. Elizabeth got keen as well.
The family made plans to emmigrate to the US in October 1911 on board the Philadelphia but with difficulties caused by the coal strike they decided to wait for Elizabeth's sister, Margaret and her family, and rearranged their journey on the Titanic. They boarded her in Southampton. Travelling with him was his wife Elizabeth, their children William and Catherina, Eliza's sister Margaret Ford with 4 of her children: Dollina Margaret, Edward, William and Robina. A friend of the Ford family, Alice Phoebe Harknett, joined them. Andrew Jonston at the time was 35 years old.
Margaret and Elizabeth planned to meet their brother Thomas in New London, Connecticut prior to reuniting with Frances.
Their plans were quickly crossed out as the ship fatally hit an iceberg which caused her to sink. The entire party was lost in the disaster and none of their bodies were ever recovered.