I am descended from a family of Eks from Sala, Sweden. The furthest-back ancestor I know of is Anders Ek of Sala, born 1799. Most of the Eks in Sala were silver miners. My great-grandfather, Gustaf Victor Ek, born 1868, emigrated to America in 1888. He joined his brother, Karl Johan Ek, who had emigrated in 1887. They settled in northern Wisconsin. Karl Ek died shortly afterward in a hunting accident of some kind. I have found no record of his death, but am still searching.
In America, Gustaf Victor Ek went by the name Victor Oak, and, eventually, Oakes, which is my name today.
I have located Ek relatives in Sala. One, Ihrene Ek, born 1957, has traced the family history in Sala to 1799. She thinks the Ek name may have come from Ander's father, who may have been a soldier.
Any further insight anyone may offer into the origin of our family or name would be greatly appreciated.