Gertie Gitana

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Gertie Gitana
Gertrude Mary Astbury [her stage name was Gertie Gitana]
b. 1887 d. 1957

1887 Gertrude Mary Astbury was born at Shirley Street, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent on December 27th 1887. The daughter of William Astbury (pottery works foreman) and Lavinia Astbury (a teacher at St. Peter's Roman Catholic School, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent).

1891 Her first appearance was at the age of four as a male impersonator with the "Tomlinson's Royal Gipsy Children".

1896 In 1896 she made her debut proper, billed as Little Gitana, at the Tivoli, Barrow-in-Furness, where she sang 'Dolly at Home.'

1898 When she was ten she had a significant billing at the Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead.

1900 Appeared in London shows (see the 1901 census record below)

1911-13 She made a number of gramophone recordings in London of which the first, dating from 1911, 1912 and 1913, were on the Jumbo label.

1914-18 In the 1914-18 war Gertie Gitana was the Forces' sweetheart and was always ready to entertain in hospitals.

1928 Miss Gitana married the dancer Don Ross in 1928

c.1938 Gertie Gitana retired from show business

1948 By this date her husband Don Ross had become a theatrical agent, and in 1948 he organized a show called "Thanks for the Memory" in which several retired music hall stars, including his wife, made very successful comebacks.

1950 Her final appearance was on 2nd December 1950 at The Empress Theatre, Brixton.

early 1950's Frederick Street in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent was renamed Gitana Street in he honour.

1957 Gertie Gitana died of cancer in January 1957 and was buried in the churchyard at Wigston Magna, Leicester, with her husband.

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At the time of the 1891 census Gertrude's mother and father (William & Lavinia) together with her brother James were living in Burslem. Gertrude was staying with her grandparents (John & Anne) in Hanley.

1891 census:
Dwelling: West Street [NOTE: in the 1950's West Street was renamed: Irwell Street]
Census Place: Burslem, Staffordshire, England

Name	Marr \| Age \| Sex		Birthplace	Occupation
William Astbury	M \| 30 \| M	Head	Burslem, Staffordshire	Potters turner
Lavinia Astbury	M \| 25 \| F	Wife	Congleton, Cheshire
James Astbury	1 \| M	Son	Burslem, Staffordshire

1891 census:
Dwelling: 87, Bucknall New Road
Census Place: Hanley, Staffordshire, England

Name	Marr \| Age \| Sex		Birthplace	Occupation
John Astbury	M \| 58 \| M	Head	Smallwood, Cheshire	Brewers traveller
Anne Astbury	M \| 54 \| F	Wife	Longport, Staffordshire
Jane Barker	M \| 22 \| F	Daur	Longport, Staffordshire	Potters paintress
Thomas H Barker	M \| 25 \| M	Son in Law	Hanley, Staffordshire	Potters mouldmaker
Thomas Astbury	S \| 20 \| M	Son	Longport, Staffordshire	Potters placer
Leonard Astbury	S \| 16 \| M	Son	Longport, Staffordshire	Labourer
Theodicea Astbury	S \| 18 \| F	Daur	Longport, Staffordshire	no occupation
Gertrude Astbury	\| 3 \| F	Grand Daur	Longport, Staffordshire

At the time of the 1901 census Gertrude's mother and father (William & Lavinia) together with her brother James were living in Cobridge, near Burslem. Gertrude was a visitor at a house in Tottenham, Middlesex. Gertrude must have been performing in the London area at the time.

1901 census:
Dwelling: 46 Grove Street
Census Place: Cobridge, Burslem, Staffordshire, England

Name	Marr \| Age \| Sex		Birthplace	Occupation
William Astbury	M \| 38 \| M	Head	Staffordshire	Potters turner (earthenware)
Lavinia Astbury	M \| 34 \| F	Wife	Congleton, Cheshire
James Astbury	11 \| M	Son	Burslem, Staffordshire

1901 census:
Dwelling: 83 the Crescent
Census Place: High cross, Tottenham, Middlesex England

Name	Marr \| Age \| Sex		Birthplace	Occupation
Elizabeth Walker	Wid \| 59 \| F	Head	Defford, Leicester	manufacturer of headwear sundries, at home, own account.
Mabel M Wignall	M \| 28 \| F	Daur	Longhboro, Leicester
James Wignall	M \| 35 \| M	Son in Law	Bradford, Yorkshire	Comedian
Gertrude Astbury	S \| 13 \| F	Visitor	Burslem, Staffordshire
Annie Sutton	S \| 15 \| F	Servant	Tottenham, Middlesex	Domestic

23 December 2005

1887	Gertrude Mary Astbury was born at Shirley Street, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent on December 27th 1887. The daughter of William Astbury (pottery works foreman) and Lavinia Astbury (a teacher at St. Peter's Roman Catholic School, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent).
1891	Her first appearance was at the age of four as a male impersonator with the "Tomlinson's Royal Gipsy Children".
1896	In 1896 she made her debut proper, billed as Little Gitana, at the Tivoli, Barrow-in-Furness, where she sang 'Dolly at Home.'
1898	When she was ten she had a significant billing at the Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead.
1900	Appeared in London shows (see the 1901 census record below)
1911-13	She made a number of gramophone recordings in London of which the first, dating from 1911, 1912 and 1913, were on the Jumbo label.
1914-18	In the 1914-18 war Gertie Gitana was the Forces' sweetheart and was always ready to entertain in hospitals.
1928	Miss Gitana married the dancer Don Ross in 1928
c.1938	Gertie Gitana retired from show business
1948	By this date her husband Don Ross had become a theatrical agent, and in 1948 he organized a show called "Thanks for the Memory" in which several retired music hall stars, including his wife, made very successful comebacks.
1950	Her final appearance was on 2nd December 1950 at The Empress Theatre, Brixton.
early 1950's	Frederick Street in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent was renamed Gitana Street in he honour.
1957	Gertie Gitana died of cancer in January 1957 and was buried in the churchyard at Wigston Magna, Leicester, with her husband.