Born in Southend on Sea, Essex, now living in Wokingham, Berkshire and Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Like many my interest in Family History really took off with the widespread availability of research material online, web sites like Ancestry and Genes Reunited, and the TV series ‘Who do you think you are ?’.

I am particularly interested in the overall Emptage story. How many of us are inter related? Where did the original Emptages come from and how long were my ancestors living on Thanet?

My grandad (Ernest) was born in West Northdown, Thanet in the late 19th century part of a long line of Thanet Emptages. As a career soldier Ernest moved away from Kent in the early 20th Century never to return. On the way he got married in South Wales where my dad Rowland appeared and then moved onto Southend on Sea where Rowland grew up, married and then I came on the scene (along with a brother Peter).

I have lived in Southend, London, Yorkshire, Saudi Arabia, Yorkshire again and now Berkshire. In all that time I have met just one other Emptage. That was 30 years ago working in an Estate Agents in Fulham when I was house hunting.

Grandad Ernest was dead before I was born and dad died over 20 years ago. So, from me, you’ll hear the familiar refrain ‘I wish I’d asked them more about my family history when they were alive’. In fact I knew nothing of the Thanet connection until they were long gone. I’m lucky that we’re in an age where it is possible to piece some of their lives together.

Ernest the soldier was posted to the Somme in WW1 and was stationed in Dublin at the height of the troubles in the 20’s. What it would be to have a pint with him and ask all the questions I have now.

This site is a brilliant resource for all Emptages all over the world and I am sure there will be many new and exciting revelations about our shared past as time goes by. If you’re new to the site, enjoy, and if you’re a male Emptage why not get involved in the DNA project. Contact us for details.

Lineage:

Henry Emptage 1737-1817 and Anne Peal 1736-1812.
John Emptage 1765-1836 and Sarah Impet 1765-1819. 
William Emptage 1811 – 1887 and Elizabeth Watson 1815-1897.
John Emptage 1844-1915 and Emily Haskell 1847-1933.
Ernest Edmund Emptage 1888-1948 and Gertrude Elizabeth A. Collins 1893-1956. 
Rowland Ernest Emptage 1922-1993 and Doreen A. Davey 1923.