This family in Australia is descended from Heinrich and Margarethe Schack, who lived in Germany in the 19th century. Their off-spring were Heinrich, Peter, Gretschen, Lena, Willie (real name Johann Nicholaus Wilhelm), Marie and Doris. The Australian branch of the family stemmed from Johann Nicholaus Wilhelm Schack (born Hohnstorf Germany 1860, died Geelong, Victoria, Australia 1952) who marrried Sophie Marie Catherine Passow (born 1864, Varmstorf, Germany, died Beulah, Victoria, Australia 1908).
Johann Nicholas Wilhelm Schack married three times - to Sophie Passow, Mary Worrall and Amy Hall. Legend has it that whilst living at his parents house in Germany he asked his father (Heinrich) for his bank book, saying that he wanted money to see the Port Hamburg. He did not tell his father that he intended to go further than Hamburg to Australia. Shipping records show that Johann Nik Schack arrived in Adelaide aboard the Etna on 5 September 1883.
For an essay by Syd Schack on the life of Johann Nicholaus Wilhelm Schack and his wife Sophie Click here
One of his offspring - Sydney Carl Schack (1895-1974) married Vida Esther Lyla Fatchen (1902-1963) and had four children. The only son, Sydney James Ernest Schack (1925-1980) married Mary McKinley (1926-2002) and had six children - Michael, Colin, Helen, Kathryn, Therese and Carolyn.
For a poem composed by Jim Schack on the soldier settlers of Yarrack, near Glenthompson Click here
Michael Schack (1950-) married Helen Margrie (1952-) and had three children - Hannah, Rebecca and Willie.
Click button to return to family page
This page hosted by 
Get your own Free Home Page