I hope I'm putting this in the right location.  I have a recital in costume at the end of this month and am having a heck of a time finding vintage hairstyle direction (other than the Gibson Girl).  The era is 1885 and early 1900's.  I'm singing one song from Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy's song "Someone Like You", she's a whore) and the other is from the Fantasticks (Luisa's song "Much More").  So far I'm feeling stuck with the Gibson Girl.  I'd love to hear your suggestions or perhaps direction to a resource I haven't come across.
Thanks very much!!!

I'd say that most basic buns we know have been around a long time.
  Probably ordinary cinnabun is "period-correct", but it would be great if you found eg. an old hair ornament (I'm sure that your hairstick collection also includes something that would look good ).
  Other important thing (you'll see this if you look at the old photograps) is, that the style must be neat- not least bit messy or funky or anything like that.

If you don't like updos, a braided, simple style is always an option. You don't see many braids in formal pictures, but in pictures presenting eg. a picnic or other casual events, ladies often have their hair simply braided and tied with a pretty ribbon.

Look at very old photographs of ladies, or paintings of the era. And don't forget to tell us, what style you finally decided to wear!

Try these links:

http://www.shootingstarhistory.com/hairstyles.html

http://demode.tweedlebop.com/hair_second.html

So far, I've got a 1/2 poofy bun/1/2 french twist (not quite Gibson Girl) for my first song (with pearl glitz glitterstix) and then I take the french twist down and voila! I have the back half down for Lucy.
I tried the rag curls.  First attempt failed.  Changed length of rags and number of rags and had very good result.  Actually need even more rags-I have A LOT of hair.  Apparently more than is normal for a curly haired person.  Hummmm.
So, I have until the 30th to change my mind or come up with something better.
Got my hair cut today-cut off the bottom layers so now I'm at all one length.  I've never had all one length hair before.  Better try my hairstyles again to be sure they work!!

I'm probably too late to help the original poster. But for others interested in historic hairstyles, Richard Corson's _Fashions in Hair: The 1st 5,000 Years_ has pictures of just about every historic style you can think of.  It's a huge book.    We don't sell other publishers' books, but it's available at online bookstores. 

Fran Grimble
Books on Historic Costuming
http://www.lavoltapress.com

Thanks, Fran!  Yep, it was a bit late for this recital but I have another one in May and I think I need a 1920's hair do.
I'm defo going to check out that book.  It is sooo hard to find websites of vintage styles.

I checked out the link you included-looks great-I'll need some costuming directions, esp. for undergarments!!

For that a wig would probably be best. Get a bob with bangs, and have it styled a bit if necessary. Stuff your hair into one of those stretchy wig caps to keep it in place under the wig.