Elizabeth Johnston was born as Elizabeth Watson on January the 1st, 1876 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. She was the daughter of William Watson, a shepherd, and her mother was Margaret "Peggy" Ross. She was often referred to as 'Eliza.' She would have 12 siblings eventually.
By 1901, Elizabeth was living in Govan, Glasgow, and working as a domestic table maid. She married Andrew Emslie Johnston, a plumber from Aberdeen, in Glasgow on December 24, 1902 and the couple moved to Croydon, Surrey, England. They had two children, William Andrew and Catherine Nellie. In Sussex lived Eliza's older sister, Margaret Ann Ford. Margaret had a daughter, Frances, who had emigrated prior to the United States, and worked as a domestic servant. Frances' stories made life in America seem very attractive for her mother and Elizabeth was interested too.
Both families decided life would better and it seemed a good idea to leave for America. Alice Harknett, a friend of the Watsons, tagged along.
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 left the Southampton docks aboard the ship to set sail for what seemed a bright future to them. Their voyage was in Third Class like most emigrants. Elizabeth was 36 at the time of the voyage.
Margaret and Elizabeth planned to meet their brother Thomas in New London, Connecticut prior to reuniting with Frances.
Sadly however, the Titanic had an encounter with ice before midnight on April 14, and over the course of 2 hours and 40 minutes, she sank. During the sinking, the entire party was lost and none of their bodies were ever recovered.