John was born on October 17, 1860, in Eastmuir, Shettleston, to Ellen Connelly (c1826 - 1896) and Patrick Reynolds (c1826 - 1882). [See Section RS-5-1 for family background.]
Ellen might have been born on November 19, 1862 to Sarah Ann McLean (c1836 - 1867) and Daniel McVey (c1833 - 1875). [See Section MV-5-1 for possible family background.]
They had the following children (that I know of) —
Elizabeth born in 1889 in Cleland, last sighting 1901. Patrick born in 1890 in Omoa Square, Cleland, last sighting 1891. Francis born in 1892 in Omoa Square, Cleland. Catherine born in 1895 in Omoa Square, Cleland.
1888 On Friday, May 11, John and Ellen were married by Fr. John Hughes at the RC Chapel, Cleland after Banns according to the Forms of the R. C. Church. The marriage was registered No.12 at Cleland, West District of Shotts on May 15.
John was a Bachelor, gave his age as 26 [he was 27½], occupation Coalminer and usual residence as Cleland, Shotts Parish. His parents are recorded as Patrick Reynolds, Coalminer (deceased) and Ellen Reynolds m.s. Connolly.
Ellen was a Spinster, gave her age as 25, occupation Brickfield Worker and usual residence as Omoa Square, Shotts Parish. Her parents are recorded as Daniel McVey, Coalminer (deceased) and Helen McVey, m.s. McKillop (deceased), which confuses me as I have found only one Ellen McVey in Shotts who comes anywhere near fitting the bill and her birth certificate gives her mother as Sarah Ann McLean.
The witnesses were Joseph Reynolds and Ellen McDermott, who married in 1890.
All parties signed the official documents (rather than made their marks).
1889 Elizabeth was born at 8h0m p.m. on Friday, March 1 at McAuley's Land, Cleland, Shotts Parish to John Reynolds, Coalminer and Ellen Reynolds m.s. McVey who married on 1888 May 11 at Cleland. Her birth was registered No.25 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on March 15 by John Reynolds, Father.
1890 Patrick was born at 3h30m a.m. on Tuesday, October 7 at 71 Omoa Square, Shotts Parish to John Reynolds, Coalminer and Ellen Reynolds m.s. McVey who married on May 11, 1888 at Cleland, Shotts Parish. His birth was registered No.107 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on October 27 by John Reynolds, Father.
1891 April 5 The family were living in a one-roomed house at 71 Omoa Square.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace John Reynolds Head Mar 30 Coal Miner Lanarkshire, Eastmuir Helen Wife Mar 27 do., Shotts Elizabeth Daur 2 do., Shotts Patrick McVay Boarder Widr 60 Coal Miner Ireland Francis Reynolds Son 6 mo Lanarkshire, Shotts I wonder why Patrick has become Francis. The real Francis was not born until 1892.
The boarder, Patrick McVay might be an uncle of Ellen's, as the 1881 Census shows Patrick McVey aged 50, living with his widowed sister-in-law Ann McVey [second wife of Daniel McVey whose first wife was Sarah McLean], a nephew and sundry nieces including one named Ellen.
1892 Francis was born at 10h0m p.m. on Saturday, October 29 at 60 Omoa Square, Shotts Parish to John Reynolds, Coal Miner and Ellen Reynolds m.s. McVey who married on May 11, 1888 at Cleland, Shotts Parish. His birth was registered No.124 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on November 15 by John Reynolds, Father.
1895 Catherine was born at 1h30m a.m. on Friday, May 10 at 28 Omoa Square, Cleland to John Reynolds, Coalminer and Ellen Reynolds m.s. McVey who married on May 11, 1888 at Cleland. Her birth was registered No.67 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on May 29 by Ellen Reynolds, Mother.
1901 March 31 By this date, John was a widower, a boarder with his brother in law Robert Kelly (Jane is missing) at 54 Omoa Square; Elizabeth (12) was living with her alleged grandmother Ann McVey at 61 Omoa Square; Patrick (10), Francis (7) and Catherine (5) are all missing. Ellen's death is not recorded in Shotts to 1898.
1901 There is a marriage registered in Shotts West
655/3-31 M REYNOLDS JOHN MCDERMOTT ANNIE