Tynwald will be marking the 140th anniversary of women gaining the vote in the island next year.

On January 31, 1881, Tynwald became the first national parliament to give some women - those who owned property in their own right - the right to vote in a general election.

The first women to cast their vote in the Manx general election that March are recorded in local historian Dr Robert Fyson’s book ’The Struggle for Manx Democracy’ as Mrs Catherine Callow of Ballakilley, at Bride polling station, Miss Eliza Jane Goldsmith of Ramsey, at Lezayre polling station and Miss Esther Kee of Leodest, at Andreas polling station, the first contested election to take place in the Sheading of Ayre.

The clerk of Tynwald’s office is inviting anyone who might have a family connection with any of the three women to come forward with information and, ideally, an authenticated photograph.

The event prompted a letter to the Manx Sun of April 9, 1881, in which the author, ’WR’, a self-confessed ’outsider’, wrote: ’Something is said as to the sharpness, intelligence and activity of the women voters - a matter for gratulation, and an argument in favour of a further extension of female franchise.’

President of Tynwald Steve Rodan MLC said: ’Giving women the vote in 1881 was a determining moment in the long struggle towards democratic reform in the Isle of Man.

’The year 1881 is a date that truly deserves to be celebrated and I sincerely hope that this request for information will bring forth material that will help to illustrate this milestone event in Manx political history.’

Anyone with information and/or photos is asked to contact Francisca Gale by emailing [email protected], or telephoning 685516.