by Oriole A. Vane Veldhuis
Winnipeg: Oriole Veldhuis
$29.95
2012
ISBN 978-1-896150-72-7
Softcover, 512 pages
Elise Vane was a talented young woman from Heidelberg engaged to Percy Criddle, a young English music student, in 1863. His mother refused permission for them to marry as she could not support a family and he had no means to do so. He returned to England but visited Elise at Christmas and other occasions until 1866 when he stayed for an extended six-week holiday. That Chrismas her family expected him to do the ‘honourable thing’ and marry Elise. Germans required a groom to have parental permission, a profession or job and dwelling, so Percy promised to marry Elise in London. Although no marriage record has been located, they had five children by 1874 when he married Alice Nicol. Both women registered Percy as the father of sons the following spring. Using his wife’s legacy, Percy decided to emigrate to Canada in 1882. Following Elise’s willingness to assist Mrs. Criddle with her four young children, she became the Criddle’s servant. Original letters, diaries, documents, and research in Canada, Germany, and England are the foundation for this compelling work of creative non-fiction.
See also:
For Elise, Unveiling the Forgotten Woman on the Criddle Homestead
Page revised: 5 June 2015
