There is another possibility for Emma with a birthdate that more closely matches what you have. In 1901 at Ryton, Durham there is an Emma Cherry age 9 born at Addison Durham. She is with Joseph and Jane Cherry, who are in their 70's, though she is described as their daughter! There are also two 'sons' Robert 14 and Joseph 13. Go back to 1891 at Addison Cottages, Ryton and Robert and Joseph are correctly described as grandsons of Joseph and Jane. Their birth records on GRO have no mother's maiden name showing, so probably both illegitimate.
I believe the children were probably the children of Mary Jane Cherry, daughter of Joseph and Jane. Emma was certainly her daughter as in 1911 she appears in Durham in the household of Mary Jane ( married name Carroll) described as daughter. There are two other Carroll children - Christina 14 and Margaret 12, but Emma retains the surname Cherry. Mary Jane can be found with her parents Joseph and Jane in the 1881 census at Ryton age 14. In 1891 she appears to be working as a servant at Addison Colliery, age 22. In 1895 she married John Carroll in Newcastle and by 1901 the Carrolls are living in Ryton with two children, Elizabeth 4 ( presumably matching Christina in 1911) and Margaret 2.
Isobel