Joseph was born on August 8, 1868, in Eastmuir, Shettleston, to Ellen Connelly (c1826 - 1896) and Patrick Reynolds (c1826 - 1882). [See Section RS-5-1 for family background.]
Ellen was born about 1868 as I infer from the following family details recorded in the 1881 Census for No.1 Hornshill in the vicinity of the village of Cleland. The household is listed as:
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Hugh McDermott Head Mar. 36 Coalminer Ireland Ellen do. Wife Mar. 32 do. Annie do. Daur. 14 Scholar Lanarkshire, Shotts Par. Ellen do. Daur. 12 Scholar do., do. Rosina do. do. 10 do. do., do. Hugh do. Son 8 do. do., do. Sarah do. Daur. 5 do., do. Mary do. do. 3 do., do. Catherine do. do. 1 do., do. Ellen's sister Rosina married Francis Reynolds in 1889 and I suspect Annie married John Reynolds in 1901 after the death of his first wife Ellen McVey.
Joseph and Ellen had the following children (that I know of) —
Ellen born in 1891 at Omoa Square, Cleland, last sighting 1901. Anne born in 1893 at Omoa Square, Cleland, last sighting 1901. Hugh born in 1894 at Omoa Square, Cleland, last sighting 1901. Jane born in 1896 at Omoa Square, Cleland, last sighting 1901. Patrick born in 1898 at Cleland, last sighting 1901. Agnes born in 1900 at Windyedge, Cleland, last sighting 1901. Richard born in 1902 at Windyedge, Cleland.
1890 On Friday, July 18, Joseph 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.16 at Cleland, West District of Shotts on July 21.
Joseph was a Bachelor, gave his age as 20 (he was three weeks short of his 22nd birthday), occupation Coalminer and usual residence as Omoa Square, Shotts Parish. His parents are recorded as Patrick Reynolds, Coalminer (deceased) and Ellen Reynolds M.S. Connelly.
Ellen was a Spinster, gave her age as 20, occupation Brickfield Worker, also living in Omoa Square. Her parents are recorded as Hugh McDermott, Coalminer and Ellen McDermott m.s. Toner. [Her mother's name is recorded as Helen on her sister Rosina's marriage certificate.]
The witnesses were Peter Kilday and Sarah Huston who was probably the 18 year old daughter of Joseph's sister Sarah and Cornelius Houston [who married in Eastmuir in 1871].
1891 April 5 Joseph and Ellen had a one-roomed house at 111 Omoa Square all to themselves. Joseph was employed as a coal miner.
1891 Ellen was born at 6h35m a.m. on Friday, June 5 at 96 Omoa Square to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Coal Miner who married on July 17, 1890 at Cleland, Shotts Parish. Her birth was registered No.57 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on June 26 by Joseph Reynolds, Father, Present.
Also born in Omoa Square that year were; on March 18, Rose Kelly, daughter of Robert and Jane (nee Reynolds), registered No.30 on April 6; on March 23, Jane, daughter of Patrick and Sarah (nee Carrol), registered No.26 on March 27; on April 5, Patrick, son of William and Ellen (nee Connelly) born on April 5 and registered No.31 on the same day as Rose.
1893 Anne was born at 7h0m p.m. on Wednesday, April 12 at 109 Omoa Square, Shotts Parish to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Coal Miner who married on July 18 [sic], 1890 at Cleland, Shotts Parish. Her birth was registered No.60 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on May 2 by Joseph Reynolds, Father.
1894 Hugh was born at 12h noon on Friday, August 17 at 109 Omoa Square, Shotts Parish to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Coalminer who married on July 17, 1890 at Cleland, Shotts Parish. His birth was registered No.78 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on September 7 by Joseph Reynolds, Father.
1896 Jane was born at 2h30m a.m. on Saturday, December 5 at 111 Omoa Square, West District of Shotts to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Check Weigher who married on July 17, 1890 in the West District of Shotts. Her birth was registered No.113 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on December 14 by Joseph Reynolds, Father, Present.
1898 Patrick was born at 6h30m a.m. on Saturday, November 26 at Cleland, West District of Shotts to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Coalminer who married on July 17, 1890 in the West District of Shotts. His birth was registered No.138 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on December 19 by Joseph Reynolds, Father.
1900 Agnes was born at 4h30m p.m. on Thursday, December 20 at 111 Wyndedge, West District of Shotts to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Coalminer who married on July 17, 1890 in the West District of Shotts. Her birth was registered No.10 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on January 21, 1901 by Joseph Reynolds, Father.
1901 March 31 The family were living next door to Francis and Rosina in a house with two windowed room on Chapelhall Road, District of Cleland (probably the A73).
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Joseph Reynolds Head Mar 30 Coal Miner Lanark, Shettleston Ellen do. Wife Mar 30 do., Shotts Ellen do. Daur S 9 Scholar do., do. Annie do. Daur S 8 Scholar do., do. Hugh do. Son 6 Scholar do., do. Jane do. Daur 4 Scholar do., do. Patrick do. Son 2 do., do. Agnes do. Daur 4mo do., do.
1902 Richard was born at 3h30m p.m. on Monday, November 17 at West Windyedge, West District of Shotts to Ellen Reynolds m.s. McDermott and Joseph Reynolds, Coalminer who married on July 17, 1890 in the West District of Shotts. His birth was registered No.156 at Cleland on December 3 by Joseph Reynolds, Father.