Emils mother was Matilda, the youngest of the Sötåsa children. Carl Petter Anderson was the father- also from Halland, Sweden. Carl Petter was 62 years old when Emil was born. He had 2 younger brothers Carl Philip and Reuben, and 2 older half-brothers, Arthur and Edwin and one half sister Alice.

Emil was 22 years old when his father passed away 84 years old. Matilda passed away 4 years later.