Ian Blakesley, of Bath, has written asking for help to trace his possible connection to the Gallichan family, of Jersey.

One of his great grandfathers, William Keech, originally from Bedfordshire, was married in Jersey some time in the late 1860s to a Miss Alice Rosa Gallichan.

His research to date appears to show that their first child was born in Devon in 1870, and their next two children, Hannah and William, were born in Gosport, Hampshire, in 1973 and 1875 respectively.

He said that Mr Keech was a Drum Major in the East Yorkshire Regiment and was later a bandmaster with the 3rd Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was stationed in Jersey when he met and married Miss Gallichan, who Ian believes was a singer.

‘I see from the Jersey telephone book that there are many people in Jersey still with the surname Gallichan. If any reader recognises a connection with Miss A R Gallichan from this information, could they please contact me,’ he writes. ‘Also, if there is anyone with knowledge of the regiments’ tours of duty in Jersey, and of William Keech, in particular, in the latter half of the 19th Century, please contact me also. I would be most grateful for any help.’

Although he visited Guernsey and Jersey on holiday last year, most of his research so far has been via old family papers and the Morman Church records.

He hopes to return to the Island and to be able to spend more time on the research, however.

He asks if anyone has information that they write to him at the Top Floor Flat, 16 Portland Place, Bath, BA1 2RY, UK.