Emma Yates was born, 13 October 1866, in Saltaire to Alfred & Eliza Yates.

In 1871 they were living at 20 Fanny Street, Saltaire, where Alfred worked for a hosiery manufacturer. In 1881 they were living at 30 Constance Steet, Saltaire, with Emma working as a spinner. Alfred died in 1889.

In 1891 Emma was a twister living with her mother and siblings at 23 Whitlam Street. In 1901 they were living at 14 Ferrand Road, Shipley, where Emma worked as a weaver. By 1907 they had moved to 46 Victoria Road, Saltaire, where Emma’s mother died.

By 1909 Emma had moved to 24 Caroline Street, Saltaire. By 1918 she had moved to 15 Amelia Street, Saltaire, where she would spend the rest of her life. She would never marry. In 1921 she was a weaver working at Saltaire Mills.

In the 1939 Register she had living with her Sydney Brook, a machine iron moulder born, 19 May 1894.

Emma died 13 May 1943.