EDGOOSE:
In search of Ancestry
BROOKS, Emma Sarah
1869 - Yes, date unknown Has no ancestors but 3 descendants in this family tree.
1870 - Yes, date unknown-
Name BROOKS, Emma Sarah Birth 1869 Rotherhithe, Surrey 
Gender Female Death Yes, date unknown Person ID I4947 Edgoose Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
Family SMITH, John Thomas, b. Between 1869 and 1870 d. Yes, date unknown Marriage 17 Sep 1893 Willesden, Middlesex, England Children 1. SMITH, John Thomas, b. 1895, Acton, Middlesex, England d. Yes, date unknown2. SMITH, Grace, b. 1896, Acton, Middlesex, England d. Yes, date unknown [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]3. SMITH, George, b. Between 1897 and 1898, Acton, Middlesex, England d. Yes, date unknown [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]Family ID F2071 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
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Notes
EMMA SARAH BROOKS 1870-
The birth of Emma Sarah BROOKS was registered in 1869.
(GRO March Q. 1869 Rotherhithe 1d 709)
The 1871 census of 2 Maynard Road, Rotherhithe, Surrey:
Frances A. BROOK (sic), head, aged 33, manger (?), born at West Walton, Norfolk;
Ann HUDSON, daughter, aged 12, born at Rotherhithe, Surrey;
Ed(ith) BROOK, daughter, aged 4, born at Rotherhithe;
*Emma S. BROOK, daughter, aged 2, born at Rotherhithe;
T. Maria BROOK, daughter, aged 1 month, born at Rotherhithe;
E(dith) HINES, sister, aged 22, unmarried, born at Walsoken, Norfolk;
Saml FRANCIS, boarder, aged 32, unmarried, labourer, born at Rotherhithe.
Also at the same address:
Ann BROWN, head, aged 44, widow, charwoman, born at Stonehouse, Devonport;
Marie BROWN, daughter, aged 18, gold thread spinner, born at Bradford, Yorkshire.
(RG10/643/46/30)
Edith Elizabeth BROOKS and Emma Sarah BROOKS were both sent to the Metropolitan & City Police Orphanage at Fortescue House, Twickenham. The records show that on the 12 April 1873 applications were made for a number of children to be admitted to the school, amongst whom were Agnes BROOKS and Edith Elizabeth BROOKS. At a Board Meeting held on 9 May 1873 it was agreed that Edith Elizabeth BROOKS be admitted and she is shown on a list of children admitted to the orphanage up to the 31 December 1873:
Name: BROOKS, Edith Elizabeth
Age on birthday prior to admission: 6
Date of admission: 9 May 1873
Name of father: BROOKS, John
Rank of father and letter of his Division: PC70R
Does the Mother survive: No
Agnes BROOKS appears to be have been rejected on the grounds of her illegitimacy.
Further records show that an application was made to admit Emma Sarah BROOKS on 6 February 1874 and that she was admitted on 13 February 1874 aged 5 years.
Edith BROOKS would appear to have left the orphanage at some time after the 1881 census and Emma BROOKS in 1883.
(source: Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage archives via Bob Burstow)
From the 1881 census of the Metropolitan City and Police Orphanage, Wellesley House, Twickenham:
*Edith BROOKS, aged 14, scholar, born at Rotherhithe, Surrey;
(RG11/1343/132/9)
Emma BROOKS, aged 12, scholar, born at Rotherhithe, Surrey;
(RG11/1343/131/8)
She has not been traced in the 1891 census.
Emma Sarah BROOKS married John Thomas SMITH at St. Michael's Church, Willesden, Middlesex, on 17 September 1893. Her husband was a 23 year old bachelor, a labourer from Steele Road, Willesden, and son of George SMITH, subcontractor. Emma was described as a 24 year old spinster from Steele Road, Willesden, and daughter of John BROOKS, police constable. Witnesses were Edith Elizabeth BROOKS and Fredk Wm EDGECOMB.
(GRO September Q 1893 Hendon 3a 322)
The 1901 census of 56 Stanley Gardens, Acton, Middlesex:
John SMITH, head, aged 30, sewer contractor's foreman, born at Hackney, Middlesex;
*Emma SMITH, wife, aged 31, born at Rotherhithe, Kent;
John SMITH, son, aged 6, scholar, born at Acton;
Grace SMITH, daughter, aged 4, scholar, born at Acton;
George SMITH, son, aged 3, scholar, born at Acton.
(RG13/1201/50/33)
(revised 02.08.2007)