As the legend goes, Sarah Ellen Roberts was one of Dracula’s brides. Due to allegations of murder and witchcraft in her hometown of Blackburn, England in 1913, Sarah Ellen was sentenced to execution and as a punishment, she was to be sealed in her coffin alive. The Church of England refused to have her buried on sacred ground, so her husband, John Roberts, was forced to travel around the world to find a place that would accept her remains. He finally succeeded in laying her to rest in Pisco, a little port town in Peru.

It’s said that as the coffin closed, Sarah Ellen swore that she would be back in 80 years to take revenge. The inhabitants of Pisco awaited the day of her death anniversary in 1993 with fear and apprehension. Stores began selling “anti-vampire kits” that included a crucifix, a wooden stake and garlic. Mystics began throwing holy water, singing hymns, praying and chanting near Sarah’s grave. Hundreds of curious spectators made the trip to Pisco to witness the anticipated resurrection.

When Sarah Ellen didn’t appear, the mystics rejoiced and took credit for the so-called phenomenon. Others weren’t so sure and there were various sightings of a strange lady walking the streets of Pisco in the evenings. The story took a turn when Pisco suffered an earthquake in 2007 — Sarah Ellen’s grave housed one of the only tombs that remained unopened. Citizens of Pisco began saying that she was in fact blessed and must somehow be a holy saint to have “survived” the earthquake.

Surprised by the Peruvian media sensation in 1993, British historians dug deeper to find that Sarah Ellen was just a typical mother. The census at the time shows that both Sarah Ellen and John Roberts were weavers. During a visit to Peru where John’s brother had opened a cotton mill, Sarah Ellen passed away unexpectedly. The Roberts grandchildren suspect that she passed away in some isolated area and that her husband may have carried her coffin into the town of Pisco, sprouting a wealth of rumors.

Nevertheless, what a legacy she left!

People have also made a legend of my life. Sometimes, I experience privilege here in Peru when others learn that I’m Canadian. It can be a special advantage because people may take my words more seriously and I have the opportunity to make positive changes, but it can be a disadvantage when others hold the false beliefs that I must know the answer to everything and that I must be rich.

When have others taken over your legend and has it been for better or for worse?