The Christopher Johnston Family

Notes - Mrs. Daisy Gooding tells the story of her parents’ immigration, marriage and early family life in Athabasca. Her father, Mr. Christopher Johnston, was originally a lay minister and a trader and later opened a bakery in Athabasca with her mother Christine. Mrs. Gooding tells of her parents’ experiences: cooking meals for the North West Mountain Police, dealing with the fire and flu epidemics in the early 1900s, and life in general. She talks of her parents personal and business relationships with many homesteaders as well as First Nation citizens. Many anecdotes are shared including the story of Bill Day and his sleigh pulled by moose. Mrs. Gooding’s father became a ferryman and stories of ferrying on the Athabasca River are part of this tribute to her parents (8 pages)