The origins of the Weikert family were in the southern area of Poland known as Silescia, where Franz Weikert is the earliest known ancestor. This area was at some earlier period of time a part of Germany and the Weikert family who migrated to South Australia in 1848 only spoke German. The family farm was near Leknica which is located close to the border of Germany and approximately 100 kms north east of Dresden.
Why did the family migrate to Australia? Family stories indicate that Franz Weikert was concerned about the aggressive nature of Otto von Bismarck who was later to become Chancellor of Germany and he feared that his two sons would be called up for military service. However publications available relating to the Sevenhill settlement in South Australia indicate that Weikert’s intention was to form a German settlement in South Australia.
Franz Weikert brought not only his family of five children aged between 1 and 16 years but the first Jesuit Priests and a total of 146 in number including many of Wekert’s tenant farmers when they departed Hamburg on the vessel the Alfred in August 1848.
For a variety of reasons many of the group did not remain with Weikert, some because of religious differences during the voyage but it is suspected that their arrival coincided with the gold rush in Eastern Australia and the temptation to discover gold was too great.
The Jesuits and the remaining Weikert group moved to Clare and settled into the area now known as Sevenhill, named after the Seven Hills of Rome. Over the next 10 years following their arrival, St Aloysius College and Church were established as was the Sevenhill Vineyard. The Winery was established with a Jesuit Winemaker and that winery with a Jesuit Winemaker still operates today.
Many of the tenant farmers who made the voyage with Weikert did not remain with him on arrival and failed to repay the cost of the voyage, leaving Franz Weikert in difficult circumstances, Franz Weikert and many of his family are buried in the small cemetery adjoining the Church and Winery.
The names of specific persons in this Family Line can be found in the Surname Index.
The family history can also be explored through:
- The Charts page showing the relationships and family groups.