Why choose Beacon

John J. Tunesi of Liongam is a genealogist and researcher in archives with some thirty five years experience specialising in genealogical and heraldic research throughout the British Isles.

He was a research assistant at the College of Arms in London between 1987 and 1996 and served as Factor to Garter Principal King of Arms ( the late Sir Conrad Swan) 1992 to 1995. He also undertakes research in The National Archives, London Metropolitan Archives, and county record offices.

John is a Freeman of the City of London and also a Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners of the City of London and is a Past Master of the Company. He is also a Member of the Honourable Artillery Company.

John holds the Degree of Master of Science in Advanced Professional Studies (Genealogical Studies) of the University of Strathclyde and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a Director and Member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists.

He is the Secretary of the Heraldry Society and serves on the Society's Congress Committee and is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Hertfordshire Family History Society.

As Head of the Territorial House of Tunesi of Liongam and Heritable Proprietor of the Island of Liongam in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is particularly interested in the heraldry and genealogies of the families that are found along the western seaboard of Scotland. He is also interested in families that hail from the county of Wigtownshire, the home county of many of his ancestors.

John is a Member of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem being a member of the Ceremonial Staff of the Priory of England and the Islands and is also a member of the Hertfordshire County Priory Group of St John Ambulance.

He is also an Officer with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets at HQRAFAC RAF Cranwell where he is the Special Projects Officer RAFAC Badges and Protocol and also the RAFAC Historian. He is also a Trooper and the Master Sutler within the second ceremonial sub-unit of the Honourable Artillery Company - the Light Cavalry.

He is married to Jane who was the Assistant Librarian at the College of Arms 1987 to 2003 who is a graduate member of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. Jane is also a member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists.

Jane is by profession a Chartered Librarian and was for sixteen years the Assistant Librarian at The College of Arms. She is an Officer of The Heraldry Society, being Honorary Librarian, Bookshop Manager and Editor of The Heraldry Gazette. Jane also edits Hertfordshire People, the journal of Hertfordshire Family History Society and serves on their Executive Committee. She also holds a MSt in Local and Regional History from the University of Cambridge (St Catharine's College).