The family history
From Estonia to America
The full text of the family history, chapter by chapter, with its photographs, records and notes.
Pilvi Laine Leoke was born in Tartu in 1921, into a Viljandi family of booksellers and publishers. Elmar Heinrich Koik was born on the Karksi manor estate, about 35 km south of Viljandi, in 1925. Both left Estonia in 1944, spent the postwar years in Germany as refugees, and came to the United States, where they married.
OverviewHow the two families connectWhere the two families came from, and how they joined.Part oneThe Leokes of ViljandiHans Leoke, from schoolmaster to Viljandi’s first Estonian bookseller and publisher, and his family.Part onePeter Leoke, the family’s anchor in AmericaDiplomat, publisher and the family’s anchor in America.Part oneElmar Oswald, Hilda and their daughtersPilvi’s parents and sister, from Viljandi to Tartu and Tallinn.Part twoThe Koiks of KarksiJuhan Koik’s family, from the Kariste estates to Karksi manor, where Elmar was born.Part threeLeaving Estonia, 1944The occupations, Elmar Koik’s mobilization and wounding, and the evacuation of Tallinn in September 1944.Part threeGermany, 1944–1948Refuge in Windsheim, Virve’s death, and Elmar Koik’s hospitals and refugee status.Part fourTo America, 1947–1952Three separate crossings, a home in Los Angeles, and a wedding in Las Vegas.Appendix APlaces connected with the familiesThe addresses, estates, graves and camps connected with both families.Appendix BLocal history and photographsHans Leoke’s Viljandi, the battle for Karksi manor, and an evacuation account.Appendix CFamily and record detailsSpellings, calendars, and the earlier generations of each line.Appendix DUnresolved family connectionsLeokes and Koiks in the records whose connection is not yet proven.Appendix EFurther researchWhat is still to be found, and where to look.ReferenceSources and notesArchives, published works, databases, museums and family recollections.