1

Norman Criddle with Oxen
Circa 1903
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

2

In spring of 1883 their primary aim was to plough , plant crops and a garden as the family had been without vegetables for many months. Percy unfortunately had no experience in farming and no aptitude for it either. The oldest boys were conscripted as the farm workforce and Mr. Lawrence, a neighbour, came and taught Percy and Edwy the art of plowing with oxen.

3

The Boys
Circa 1890
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

4

Occasionally Percy would hire the children out to local farmers to work for some sort of payment. Once, Edwy and Harry earned the family two pigs for their hard work. Harry was often sent to work for neighbours earning $5 per month, and h is 'worth' continued to increase, and soon he was earning $2.24 per week for three weeks of harrowing.

5

Criddle and Vane Family in front of Cabin
1895
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

6

Alice and Percy had four children after they came to Canada.
The children of these two families did not know that they both had Percy for a father until a romance was blooming between a half brother and sister. The relationship at last had to be revealed.

Of the children's contributions Percy wrote: ''the boys now do all the harrowing - Edwy, Harry, Cecil and Norman. All the kids work the entire day, bar Bobby (four years old) - who makes herself useful, carrying potatoes (for planting), helping me. By and by, the baby, Maida, doesn't help but takes care of her Ma at home."

7

St. Albans Milk House
Circa 1917
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

8

The girls had the responsibility of milking the 25 cows and it soon became known as Dido's Dairy - leaving little to the imagination as to whose responsibility it was.

9

Cliff Pasture
Circa 1900
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photo by S. Kohler
Sipiweske Museum

10

After years of churning the milk to make butter, it became known that it was more profitable to sell the milk and eggs to Eaton's. This aided the final payment of the new house that was paid off in 1916.

11

Rupert and the Team
Circa 1910
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Kathy Noel

12

Horses were used regularly around the farm.

13

Two of the Boys with Binders and Horses
Circa 1915
Municipality of South Cypress, Manitoba, Canada
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Sipiweske Museum

14

Fortunately for Percy the oxen, Billy and Lazy seemed to know their trade and didn't require much direction.