Kristin was born in September 1857. Kristin's father was Vidrik Piho and her mother was Mai Piho (Jaks). Her paternal grandparents were Rein Pihu and Mari Pihu; her maternal grandparents were Peeter Jaks and Ann Jaks. She had three brothers and two sisters, named Hans, Rein, Toomas, Juula and Mari. She was the second oldest of the six children.