William Gillegin

RETRO308 · Post by **RETRO308** » 26 Jul 2003, 18:57

I AM TRYING TO OBTAIN ANY INFORMATION ON WILLIAM
GILLEGIN WHO WAS LOCATED IN WALWORTH AND SHOREDITCH.
HE WAS A PIANO FORTE MAKER CIRCA 1860-1900.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 27 Jul 2003, 06:41

When you say "Pianoforte Maker", do you mean he had his own business? The victorian piano trade in London was a huge employer, and it is impossible to trace every worker by active research, but I probably have more chance than most people of having things turn up at random. Census records are your best chance, but I'll see what I can find. Have you seen my Genealogy page?
http://www.pianohistory.info/genealogy.html

RETRO308 · Post by **RETRO308** » 29 Jul 2003, 23:17

I am afraid I have very little information on William other than he is listed as a piano forte maker.

I do know his address which was 118 East Street Walworth Surrey.

His son James Gillegin was a member of the London philharmonic orchestra.

Another son William junior was apparently a professional piano player and was definitley a piano teacher.

His daughter Amelia Gillegin (married name Biggs) was a trader of pianos.
There is a strong musical link,and this may indicate that he had his own business but that is only speculation and not fact.

I thank for you interest and any information you have. I was not aware of the website you mention and will look it up after this message.

Best wishes Tony

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 29 Jul 2003, 23:24

When you say "listed", what is he listed in?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » 07 Aug 2003, 15:57

William Gillegin was my great great great grandfather. The references to him being a piano forte maker and piano tuner stem from birth and marriage certificates which I hold. In later certificates, he refers to hinself as a Professor of Music. I wonder if this may be an embelishment on his part...

There was a piano factory in Peckham Road, Camberwell, close by to Walworth. I have often wondered if he worked there. The geography makes sense, and people didn't necessarily work far from home in those days.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 09 Aug 2003, 15:42

Gillegin is not listed in any of my London lists 1860-1900, nor my Post Office London Directory for 1892, but then, neither is Peckham Road, being outside the main area of the directory. Which factory was that? My guess is that he served his apprenticeship as a Pianoforte Maker, then worked for himself as a tuner, and later a "professor" of music.

RichardQ · Post by **RichardQ** » 24 Jun 2018, 22:30

William Gillegin operated as a musical Instrument dealer from 221 Southwark Park Road. On 30 December 1883, a fire broke out during the night and extensive damage was done to the shop and house of four rooms.

Source: The Times 31 December 1883 via Newspapers.com
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21251182/

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 24 Jun 2018, 23:53

I can find no record of any music or piano firms with this unusual spelling, but there is a tuner named WIlliam Gilligan listed in 1891, the more usual spelling.

He is also listed in my Post Office London Directory for 1892, still as a pianoforte tuner.

RichardQ · Post by **RichardQ** » 25 Sep 2018, 13:45

The William Gilligan of 137 Galleywall Road is the eldest son of William Gillegin. The spelling does vary on census records but on bmd records, it is consistently spelt Gillegin.

Apparently, the son, William Gilligan at one time worked as a pianist on Atlantic liners entertaining passengers during the crossings to New York.

He is listed as arriving at Liverpool, England, on a ship named City of New York, on 26 Apr 1892 so he definitely made at least one journey to the States and back.

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