Emma was born on 31 August 1904 in Burnley (RoB 1904 Burnley Q4 Vol.8e p.178) to Fred (EM001) and Beatrice (EM028). Like her siblings, Emma probably attended Rosegrove Junior School and attended Rosegrove Congregational Chapel (now demolished). Emma was musical and, along with her sister Sarah (Sadie), was in the choir. She was always involved in the concerts, plays bazaars and other functions that occured at the church..

The 1911 Census shows her living with her family at 42 Sunderland Street, she is 6 years old and at school.

She married Frederick Dickinson in Burnley in 1927 (RoM Burnley 1927 Q3 Vol.8e p.739). Frederick was initially an apprentice to a firm of grocers in Manchester but later he became a shopkeeper / grocer on Berry Street, Spring Hill in Burnley

They had at least three children:

  • Eric and William (Billy), twins born on 14 March 1929;
  • Roy. born in July 1940

The 1939 Register shows that they were living at 61 Berry Street, Frederick was a Master Grocer Baker and Emma was a Confectioner Cake Maker. Wiliam and Eric were at school. Just along the road at number 77 Berry Street was a James and Susannah Dickinson who may have been related to Frederick.

Frederick died on 19 March 1944 in Burnley. Probate was on and read:

DICKINSON Frederick of 41 Berry-street Burnley died 19 March 1944 Administration Llandudno 17 April to Emma Dickinson widow and Charles Henry Dickinson house furnisher.
Effects £1673 10s. 3d.

Emma later married Thomas (Tom) Edward Presland in 1946, he worked for wholesale grocer on Elizabeth Street, Burnley. They are shown together on the right.

Emma died on 22 June 1980 and was buried in Burnley Cemetery on 25 June, Tom died in 1984.

Probate reads:

PRESLAND, Emma of 1 Springhill Rd Burnley Lancs died 22 June 1980 Administration Liverpool 25 July £1614 801607293V

[Last updated 17 Nov 2023]