Have only just started my family history & have a 4g-g John Eke (b1807) m Susan. 3g-g William Eke (b1833) m Sarah Ann Fuller (?); births & living around Guestwick, Norfolk. Daughter Christanna (b1871-1946) m1890 Adam Robinson then emigrated to Australia. It's early days so any hints for my research in the old dart would be appreciated. Fortunately the Census data holds together next step BDM's?

Hi there - not sure if I can help, but just wanted to say that I am also new to the Eke family research and have hit a bit of a brick wall - my Eke connection is my grandfather Albert Eke b 1890, Holborn to Laura Burgess and her then partner - Robert James Eke (although on his marriage certificate he appears as William Robert Eke) and in the Census 1891 as James Robert Eke. They went on to have William Robert Eke in 1893 and Frederick Percy Eke in 1894 and then split up. I know he stayed in contact with the family, but as I am adopted I have very little other information. I know that my great grandfather came from Norfolk - possibly Dedham, Dereham or Fakenham and was born around 1849. It would be great if any of this linked with your research, but I just wanted to say good luck! Best wishes Jane

Hi Jane
Thanks for the encouragement!! I don't know why I started all this family history caper fortunately the frustrations of brick walls have been balanced by break throughs in other arms of my family.....so keep chipping away at the wall eventually the mortar fails.
I've had a good look through my Eke family & traced forward some of the 4g, 3g uncles via the census but have not found a connection with William or James Robert Eke.
There is likely to be some connection in the not to distant past as Eke isn't a large family group & seem to be concentrated in the Aylsham/Fakenham area prior to 1900. For instance, Guestwick & Corpusty keep appearing in my family.
If you live in England, researching in the north of Norfolk would be a good start with some of the local records. I'm stuck with web-based research at the moment unless I get desperate & pay for a researcher.....
Take care & I hope the mortar isn't too strong
Phil

Thanks Phil, your post made me laugh - and the analogy is a good one - I am busy chipping away - as you say I probably need to make a trip to North Norfolk as he is possibly from East Dereham or Fakenham - and could be either Robert James Eke or James Robert Eke or William Robert Eke - all three names appear on different birth/marriage certificates - perhaps they are three different people! Who knows! All I can say is that they were amazingly free with changing names and forgetting to register births or even in some cases forgetting they were already married! Oh well - who knows, we may be related a long way back - I live in Dorset, England by the way! Good luck, Jane

I think the John Eke you mention is my wife's ancestor. He's the son of Peter born 1772 in Wood Dalling.

John had a son called Jabez. This was the line I traced.

I could tell you more, but it would honestly ruin your fun. The Eke's trace back quite a way.

I'd like to know the derivation of the name. My father-in-law is convinced it's Dutch and that they came across to Norwich in the 1600s. I can't substantiate this though. If you have any info I'd be interested.

Yes don't spoil all the fun and frustration of the next twenty years. I'm only mid-forties & 12 months into my family researches. Also if you tell me the full story what excuse do I have to visit England in the future.

If you would like to see how I link to the Eke family happy to e-mail my lineage to confirm the connection to your wife.
Cheers
Phil

Drop me a line at tug@tugboat.demon.co.uk and i'll give you a few pointers.

Please e-mail at sutrapenn@hotmail.co.uk and I will give you access to my website which has 207 Ekes on it.
Suzanne

Please e-mail at sutrapenn@hotmail.co.uk and I will give you access to my website which has 207 Ekes on it.
Suzanne

I have 207 Ekes on my website, mainly from East Dereham Norfolk. Please e-mail me at sutrapenn@hotmail.co.uk and I will give you access to my website.
suzanne