Reagan Cuts Regan Off at the Roots

LONDON —  President Reagan, whose embattled chief of staff, Donald T. Regan, resigned Friday, no longer wants to know if they are both part of the same Irish family, a British genealogist says.

Genealogist Hugh Peskett said Thursday that he has been told to drop research requested personally by the President to establish whether the two share their Irish roots.

“What I got was a request from the White House to lay off the investigation. It was politely worded, but they did not want me to go on with it,” said Peskett, who uncovered the President’s connection with the Irish village of Ballyporeen six years ago.