07 June 2022
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Iain Swinnerton in uniform
Colonel Iain Swinnerton was a long-time contributor to Family Tree, frequently writing on military history topics, and spoke to genealogy audiences across the globe. It is with sadness that we share news of his passing on 24th May.
Iain Swinnerton passed away on 24th May 2022. A former soldier, genealogist, industrialist, magistrate, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, he was also a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Extremely well-known in the family history community he had genealogy friends from around the world, was a founder member of the Guild of One-Name Studies , and also a frequent contributor to Family Tree and its sister publication, Practical Family History. His books included: Keeping Your Family Records, Identifying Your World War One Soldier from Badges and Photographs, The British Army: Its History, Tradition and Records, Basic Facts About Heraldry for family historians. Iain was Founder and President of the Swinnerton Family Society, (established 1974), which today hosts a collection of Swinnerton related publications and research, tracing the Swinnerton family back nine centuries.
Aside from his wide-ranging knowledge and his many accomplishments, Iain Swinnerton was also a remarkable man, very well liked and a delight to correspond with or to talk to. Helen Tovey, Editor, Family Tree: "I met Iain several times over the years, and it was always a great pleasure to work with him on his pieces in the magazine, or simply to catch up with him. He was a dynamic influence on the world of family history and will be missed by all who met him."