Koik family
Elmar Heinrich Koik
b. 1925 · Research ID K-015
In the family history: How the two families connect · Peter Leoke, the family’s anchor in America · The Koiks of Karksi · Leaving Estonia, 1944 · Germany, 1944–1948 · To America, 1947–1952 · Places connected with the families · Local history and photographs · Family and record details
Vital facts
| Born | 30 Dec 1925, 2 a.m., Karksi manor |
|---|---|
| Baptised | 5 Apr 1926, Pastor Benedikt Masing; godparents Johann Tuvi (gardener), Peter Wirk(?) (gardener), Anna Pork(?), Liide Willemson |
| Occupation | Locksmith (Tallinn 1942–43); soldier; US Army civilian guard; driver; template-maker (1952) |
Family
ParentsJuhan (Johann, Johan) Koik b. 1881, Marie Karoline Koik, née Purtsak b. 1884
SpousePilvi Laine Koik, née Leoke b. 1921 married 22 Dec 1951, Las Vegas
Brothers and sistersIda Marie Koik b. 1908, Martin Koik 1910–1919, Peter Koik b. 1912, August Koik b. 1918, Linda Koik b. 1921
See Elmar Heinrich Koik in the family tree →
Life events
| Date | Event | Place | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934–1940 | School in Karksi-Nuia; Estonian Scouts from 1938 | Karksi-Nuia | K706, K715 |
| 1942–1943 | Metalworking/locksmith in Tallinn; work book 5 Oct 1942 | Tallinn | K707 |
| 1944 | Soldier in the field battalion of the 3rd Estonian Volunteer Brigade (as given in the R14–R16 lists of Estonians in Finnish and German forces; sources ERA.R-64; ERA.R-67.2.7,10; ERA.R-165.1.5,87; ERA.R-165.1.112) | WWII refugees database, 2024.wwii-refugees.ee (the compiler, 19 Oct 2026; screenshots R24–R28) | |
| 1944–1945 | Hospitals Pilsen, Marienbad, Regensburg | K707, K710 | |
| 2 Feb 1944 | Mobilised by the Estonian Self-Administration (own statement); pay book Klooga 16 Mar 1944 | Klooga | K709, K710, K707 |
| 1 Jul 1944 | Badly wounded at Vaivara | Narva front | K707, K710 |
| 1946 | Geislingen DP camp; refused DP status ("SS"). Exile card: driver (autojuht), from Tallinn, Geislingen 24.08.46(?) | Geislingen | K708, K717, K720 |
| 1947 | US Army civilian guard (Mannheim; 501st Engineers, Wolfgang) | K712, K714 | |
| 27 Jul 1948 | DP registration record | K701 | |
| Sep 1949 | Bremerhaven–New Orleans on USAT General R. L. Howze, landed 5 Sep | New Orleans | US01, US11 |
| 22 Dec 1951 | Married Pilvi Leoke (certificate recorded in Clark County 28 Dec 1951) | Las Vegas | US03; sortedbyname.com/letter_l/leoke.html |
| 1952 | Declaration of intention; 138 Witmer St; template-maker | Los Angeles | US03 |
Dates before 1918 are Old Style (Julian) unless marked; see conventions.
Photographs and illustrations
Records
Scans of the records cited above. Select one to see it full size.
Open questions
- KC-01Elmar's childhood, schooling and scoutingPartly answered
- KD-01Elmar in Tallinn, 1942–1943Partly answered
- KD-02Elmar's mobilisation and unit, 1944Partly answered
- KD-03Elmar's wounding and hospitals, 1944–1945Partly answered
- KE-01Elmar's DP years: screening and appeal, 1945–1949Partly answered
- KE-02Elmar's emigration and El Centro, 1949Partly answered
- KE-03Elmar's later life in Los AngelesOpen
- LE-06Pilvi and Elmar's marriage and life togetherPartly answered
Research notes
- Confidence: Good.
- Family register: Karksi vald vol. 3 p. 321 (father Johan 1881, mother Marie-Caroline 1884). The refugees database index of his exile card gives "born 1929-12-31, residence Tallinn"; the card itself (K720) reads 30.12.25, so the index is a misreading.
- Later a leader of the Estonian scouts in Los Angeles (Estonian Society of LA history: context only, not cited in the PDF).