Sad news about long-time WikiTreer, Sir William Arbuthnot

Question

Hello WikiTreers,

I'm sad to pass on the news that one of our long-time WikiTreers died on October 7.  Many of you know he's had a long struggle with Parkinsons.  His brother said that despite doctors doing all they could, he finally succumbed.

Sir William was a loyal member of our community and his contributions were vast. I know he touched many of you, as he also touched me. I will always carry a soft spot for him in my heart and I know he'll always be remembered among us here.

If you'd like to share a story about him or leave a message for his family, I will be sure to share this post with his brother.

Comments

I learned from his G2G posts. He was certainly knowledgeable, and was an asset to all of us.

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I have crossed paths, with Sir William, numerous times since joining WikiTree and would like to send my condolences to his family.

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My condolences to his family, and friends.  His passing will be felt by many.

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Condolences to his family. He was a fine contributor.

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I have known William for longer than I care to remember. I know James will be greatly saddened by this sad loss, as am I.

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Message to James Arbuthnot.

Please accept my condolences to you and your family for the passing of Sir Will. I have been thinking about him and was about to send one of my sporadic emails from Australia with photos that he seemed to enjoy. We discovered that my cousin Dr Gavin Salvador is a 4th cousin via the Aguilar family which links to the Salvador family. However, I have many maternal linkages myself with Robert Arbuthnot as my mother's Cornish families had links which go back to Scotland for many generations. He was always very helpful and had an impish sense of humour. I will miss him even though our communication was sporadic and brief.

Regards

Elaine Salvador-Hooper

Answer 1

My condolences to his family.  Sir William will be greatly missed.

Answer 2

This is such sad news. Sir William contributed so much, for so many years, and continued to contribute as it became increasingly difficult for him.

Answer 3

We are saddened to hear of Sir William's passing, and will miss his participation in Scotland Project discussions, even after communicating became difficult for him.  The research he has contributed to Scottish profiles has been incredible and appreciated.

Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Amy Gilpin on behalf of the Scotland Project Leaders

Answer 4

On my first visit to London, 6 years ago, Sir William invited me to lunch at his home, which given we had only communicated via WikiTree, was very kind of him.  I also met his wife and two young sons.  Even then he was having good days and bad days, but that didn't diminish his abiding interest in genealogy and family history.

I was planning to get back to London last year, and hopefully to renew the acquaintance in person, but sadly world events intervened.

My condolences to his family.

Comments

I too was invited to lunch in Kensington at Sir William's home in 2018, and truly enjoyed spending time with him and his family. I enjoyed helping my friend, an American Arbuthnot cousin, get settled on WikiTree. I know the interest in this family will continue, but he will surely be missed!

Answer 5

I am very sad to hear of Sir William's passing. He was a major contributor to our community.

Answer 6

Oh that is sad news. He was a wonderful man, very gracious and understanding when we were working together on various WikiTree activities, and he will definitely be sorely missed. My condolences to his family members in this time of sorrow.

I recall discussing setting up a plan to have his profiles transferred over in the time of his passing, so I do hope that he was successful in setting that up. I know his intentions were that his work not be lost in this time, and that the transition would be managed properly. I think it gave him some peace in knowing that his work would live on beyond him.

Answer 7

I enjoyed our many interactions over the years.  I will miss him.  Thank you for letting us know.  RIP Sir William.

Answer 8

Farewell Sir William.  Wikitree was a better place for you and we appreciate your dedication to the site and to genealogy.  Our thoughts and prayers to your family.

Answer 9

So sad to hear of William's death. He taught me so much of my knowledge of genealogical research.

Answer 10

So sad to hear this news.     Rest in peace Sir William.

Answer 11

RIP Sir William

You were a joy to work with.

Jackie

Answer 12

A WikiTree veteran has left us.

RIP Sir William.

Answer 13

Very sad to hear this, but I also know he was struggling to live with his debilitating disease. God speed Sir William.

Mags

Answer 14

Very sad news.

My condolences and blessings to his wife and family. He got me going on Wiki-Tree, set up the first profiles and images, was always encouraging and generous with his wisdom and knowledge on matters genealogical and on family history, ready to help. Many friends in common, and some remote (Scottish) ancestors. Courageous and uncomplaining in his illness and long decline.

Requiescat.

Answer 15

I am so sorry to hear Sir William has passed.  One of the things I like most about WikiTree is the work done will never be lost.  For generations to come, the contributions of Sir William will be valued for the many things we can learn from his work.  That part of him will always live on.  And I am so glad.

Answer 16

This is very sad news. His work, his legacy, will continue to live on at WikiTree and will never be forgotten.

Answer 17

Sir William will be greatly missed.  He was a knowledgeable and generous genealogist.  Always willing to help others and to improving the family tree. I wish I had the good luck to have met him in person, but enjoyed his contributions to WikiTree. My condolences to his family.

Answer 18

I am so sorry to hear of this news. Sir William will be sorely missed. He was a 14th cousin 2x removed through MRCA Susanna (Smyth) Fiske. His listings of relationships shows how we truly are all connected. His strength of purpose despite Parkinson's will live on. he is a role model for the rest of us.

Answer 19

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sir William.  I had two lovely visits with his family in England and enjoyed meeting them all. Thank you to Sir William for all his work and contributions and for sharing his home and family with a genealogy traveler.  Sincerely, Kitty Smith

Answer 20

William and I are distant cousins.  More than that, my father and William had been close friends for some 40-odd years and to the broader family particularly in recent years.  He was a great mentor to me as a young(er) genealogist.  In teaching me various research skills he pointed me to a few resources through which I eventually discovered that we were also very distant cousins.  When I told him of this discovery, he revealed he already knew.  It turned out he was deliberately feeding me breadcrumbs so that I would discover this link for myself rather than him simply telling us of this recently.

We will miss him greatly and we are deeply saddened about his death—as he always said, he would never 'pass' anywhere.