Arthur DAY - Piano Maker

[steviebee]

Does anybody have any further details about my great great uncle Arthur Day?

Arthur was born in Stopsley, Luton, around 1873 to parents William and Frances.  By 1901, both he and his brother Francis became "professors of music" but ten years later Arthur appeared to be running his own business manufacturing pianos.  From 1914 he had a shop in George Street, and then later Upper George Street, Luton, where his business remained for many years.  From around 1936 he is listed as Arthur Day & Sons Ltd, but who were his sons, and when and whom did he marry?  Does anybody have a piano of his?  Is his shop still there (I live in Wiltshire and cannot easily get to Luton)?  When did he die?  I have a few other scant details but any additional information would be great!!
 

[PaulineJ]

whom did Arthur marry?
Was he wed at 1901 (aged 27)?

Pauline

[steviebee]

At the time of the 1901 census Arthur was single and living with his brother Francis, but it is quite possible he married later in the year.  The FreeBMD site shows that an Arthur Day did indeed marry in Luton in the December quarter of 1901, so it could be the same guy, in which case his spouse could be Nellie Edwards or Annie Maria Parker (names on the same page).  Can't be sure until the 1911 census is released - unless you can tell me otherwise??

Steve

[steviebee]

Afterthought...I'll order the marriage cert anyway.  It should give me some idea of his age, and if that fits, then it will confirm his wife's (my 2 x great aunt's) name.

[janan]

Hi Steve

Welcome to Rootschat

I've checked my various Luton books but sadly no reference to the firm.

Jan

[janan]

Have you seen this? Gives a 1911 address

http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-forums/piano500.html

Jan

[janan]

Day, Arthur music warehouse 8 New Bedford Road from Kelly's Directory of 1903

Day, Arthur music warehouse 13 Chapel Street from Kelly's Directory of 1910

see

http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/index.asp

Jan

[steviebee]

Hi Jan,

Thanks very much for the info and websites.  The Historical Directories one was new to me and should prove very useful.  It was good to get confirmation of the addresses of his shop.

If you come across anything else, please let me kow.  In the meantime, I await that marriage cert though I expect it will be after Christmas now.

Steve   

[janan]

Hope it's the right cert. Post details if it is.

Jan