1

Henry Harry Criddle, father of Percy Criddle
Circa 1855
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

2

Percy's parents were Harry Criddle, Esquire of Kensington and Mary Anne Alabaster. They were married on March 9th 1836. In 1840 upon the death of Mary Anne's brother Harry and Mary Anne adopted his three sons and educated them.

3

Mary Anne (Alabaster) Criddle Self Portrait
Early 19th Century
London, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

4

Miss Alabaster was an accomplished painter and had 11 painting exhibited in the Royal Academy of Art and fifty two paintings in galleries elsewhere. She often used family members as the subject of her paintings.

More than 30 years after the family had moved from their homestead, a number of Mary Ann Alabaster's paintings were found in the rafters of the attic in the abandoned farm home.

5

This art sale catalogue from 1868 features Miss Alabaster.

6

Art Sale Catalogue
26 May 1868
London, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

7

Young Percy Criddle
Circa 1848
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

8

Percy Criddle was born on Nov. 21st 1844 and the family lived next door to the Duke of Wellington in Piccadilly, London.

9

Mary Anne (Alabaster) Criddle with son Percy at Museum
Circa 1850
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

10

Mary Anne, an artist, often used family members as the subjects of her paintings, and this particular one shows her and her son.

11

The Astrologer, painting by Mary Anne (Alabaster) Criddle
19th Century
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

12

Miss Alabaster was an accomplished painter and had 11 painting exhibited in the Royal Academy of Art and fifty two paintings in galleries elsewhere.

13

Percy Criddle as a Teen
Circa 1860
Heidelburg, Germany


Credits:
Kathy Noel

14

Percy was educated at the highest standards and at 16 years old left England to study at Heidelberg, Germany. There he gained knowledge of Music, Law and Medicine. During Percy's years studying at Heidelburg he formed a relationship with Elise Vane.

15

Percy Criddle and Elise Harrer
Circa 1850
Heidelburg, Germany


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

16

During Percy's years studying at Heidelburg he formed a relationship with Elise Harrer. Elise was brought up in Mannheim, Germany and had many common interests with Percy.
When Percy decided to return to England, Elise accompanied him. They had six children together between 1867 and 1875. Their first child died in infancy.

17

Vane Family Tree
20th Century
South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada


Credits:
Criddle/Vane Homestead Heritage Committee

18

Percy registered the girls born to Elise as daughters of Percy Vane and Elise Vane {formerly Harrer}.
On the boys birth certificates they were registered to Percy Criddle and Elise Criddle.

19

Old Cottage
14 March 1878
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

20

When Percy decided to return to England Elise accompanied him. During her years in England her address changed numerous times as she moved between various apartments above Percy's business offices.
Percy and Alice lived together at 573 George St. Addlestone and started their family in 1875 when Norman was born. Percy enjoyed music and was a tenor at the Royal Albert Hall. This meant that the family was often in the company of influential people.

21

Percy Criddle in London for his Marriage to Alice Nichol
8 September 1872
London, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

22

Despite already having a family with Elise he married Alice Nichol on September 8th 1874 at Inslington Parish Church of St. Mary. Percy rarely mentioned his business, but on their wedding certificate he is a wine merchant.

23

Miss Alice Nicol
Circa 1865
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

24

Alice was the daughter of Scottish parents Frederick Nichol and Marion Nicholson who lived in London.

25

Alice Nicol Criddle
Late 19th Century
London, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

26

She attended Cambridge University and was one of the first females to gain a higher education. There she improved her knowledge of natural history, languages, including Sanskrit and literature.

27

No. 2 Addlestone Park - Home of Elise and Children
Circa 1870
Addlestone, Surrey, England


Credits:
Kathy Noel

28

Percy listed his occupations as:
- Owner of houses
- Independent Gentleman
- Fund holder
- Wine merchant
- Proprietor of houses