The last time I watched 1897, I was convinced Kitty was simply possessed by Josette's ghost. I think the Kitty/Josette issue--like much of DS--was left open to interpretation.
Actually, I believe the scene in Ep #874 between Kitty and Quentin[spoiler](who is in Petofi's body, has the powers of the hand, and uses them on Kitty)[/spoiler]pretty much shows conclusively that Kitty is Josette's actual reincarnation.
BUT WAIT.
[spoiler]didn't Josette save Barnabas? pulled him back to the future and to the kearn? right, right after Kitty killed herself with the poison. [/spoiler]
The Leviathans[spoiler]sent Barnabas back to 1969,[/spoiler]not Josette.