Patrick Reynolds was born about 1826 in Ireland; in Antrim according to the 1871 Census supported by family tradition. According to his death certificate (1882), he was the son of William Reynolds, Labourer, and Catherine Hammil, both of whom predeceased him. Patrick was illiterate; making "his X mark" when registering the births of his children after 1855 (the start of civil registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Scotland).
Ellen Connelly was also born in Ireland, probably in Antrim in the same year since she is usually recorded with the same age as Patrick. According to her death certificate (1896), her parents were Richard Connelly, Farmer, and Sarah O'Neil, both of whom predeceased her.
Paddy and Ellen married in Ireland, according to the birth records of three children born in Scotland after this information was included in the registration. One certificate gives the date as 1845 but no more specific date or place is recorded. Family tradition has it that the family came from "Reynoldstown" but there is no such place in Co. Antrim, though there are townlands of that name in Dublin and Co. Louth plus a Rathreynolds in Co. Meath.
[A horse called Reynoldstown won the Grand National in 1935 at odds of 22/1 and again in 1936 at 10/1; no doubt some family members turned a decent profit on that.]
There is, however, a Randalstown in Co. Antrim, in the Parish of Drumaul, Barony of Upper Toome in the poor Law Union of Antrim, and William's baptism in 1850 has the family name as "Randles".
A first check of Griffith's Valuation (compiled about 1861) failed to reveal any significant cluster of suitably named families in this area.
I have inspected the Register of Marriages for the R.C. Parish of Drumaul for the years 1843 - 1850 without seeing anything relevant.
Patrick and Ellen were in Scotland by 1850.
Their known (to me) children are —
Richard born about 1848 in Airdrie, married Mary Lafferty in 1873 and died in 1917. William born in 1850 near Tollcross, married (1) Catherine Hillon in 1881;
(2) Ellen Connelly in 1890 and died in 1920.Jane born in 1852 near Tollcross, married Robert Kelly in 1873 and died in 1924. Sarah born in 1854 in Eastmuir, married Cornelius Houston in 1871 and died in 1891. Patrick born in 1856 in Eastmuir, married Sarah Carroll in 1876 and died in 1932. Catherine born about 1858 in Co. Antrim, married Patrick Smyth in 1881 and died in 1913. John born in 1860 in Eastmuir, married (1) Ellen McVey in 1888;
(2) Annie McDermott in 1901 and died in 1916.Francis born in 1863 in Eastmuir, married Rosina McDermott in 1889 and died in 1932. Ellen born in 1865 in Baillieston and died there just before her first birthday. Joseph born in 1868 in Eastmuir, married Ellen McDermott in 1890 and died in 1933.
c1848 Family tradition has it that Ritchie was born in Ireland, brought to Scotland as a babe in arms and then sent back to Ireland to return to Scotland in his early teens. The latter part looks likely as I have not found him with the family in the Scottish records prior to his marriage in 1873 but the censuses of 1861 and 1871 (if I have found the right entries), 1881, 1891 and 1911 give his birthplace as Airdrie. (We will ignore 1901 which has Shotts!)
His age is given as 23 in 1873, 32 in 1881, 43 in 1891, 53 in 1901 and 63 in 1911 (I'll ignore the 62 on his death certificate in 1917!) so he could have been born any time between 1847 and 1850. However, he is older than William at the censuses from 1881 so probably born about 1848/49.
The National Archives of Scotland hold copies of some early Roman Catholic church registers (much easier to access than going to individual parishes) including the Register of Baptisms for the parish of St. Margaret's, Airdrie but I failed to find any entry for Ritchie between 1846 and 1850. However, I did find -
“Bridget, lawful child of Patrick Reynolds and Helen Conly, born January 8, 1847, baptised January 9, 1848 by J Gray, sponsors William Gaden? and Maria Brown.”
Is she ours? If so, what happened to her? And where does the name "Bridget" come from? Should it be Richard? The only other Bridget Reynolds I have found (so far) does not appear until 1911, daughter of Ritchie's son Patrick.
Also, I have my doubts about the birth date. The three or four previous entries were for births in December 1847 and I am inclined to think that this one may be an error, a year and a day between birth and baptism seems a bit unlikely.
Ritchie married Mary Lafferty in Newarthill on June 17, 1873 and died on April 12, 1917 in Stane, Shotts.
1850 From the Register of Baptisms for St. Mary's, Abercromby Street, Glasgow :-
“William, lawful child of Patrick Randles and Ellen Randles, was born on Sunday, March 31 and baptised on April 7 by William Lillis, sponsors Edward and Catherine McEwan.”
OK, the surname's a bit out but everything else fits, even the godparents as McEwans (or McKeons) turn up in years to come in Eastmuir.
According to the censuses of 1851, 1861 and 1891, William was born in Tollcross, Lanarkshire. The census of 1881 says Westmuir but I am inclined to doubt that. However, it is interesting that in the 1871 Census, his birthplace is given as Old Monkland rather than Barony Parish (which contained the original village of Tollcross). Taken at face value, this could mean that he was born in Easterhill, Fullarton or Clyde Iron Works (which had a substantial Catholic population), all on the south-east side of Tollcross but across the parish boundary.
William married Catherine Hillon in Rutherglen on July 18, 1881. After her death on February 7, 1889, he married a widow (and family friend) Ellen Connelly in Eastmuir on July 18, 1890. He died on June 3, 1920 in Cleland, Lanarkshire.
1851 March 30 In a house in the village of Eastmuir (that part of the present day Shettleston stretching east along Shettleston Road from about the top of Killin Street) there dwelt —
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Patrick Reynolds Head Mar. 24 Lab., Coalhill Ireland Eleanor do. Wife Mar. 24 do. William do. Son U. 1 Lanark, Tollcross Henry McCone Cousin U. 23 Lab. on Coalhill Ireland Patrick do. do. U. 18 do. do. do. James Carvery Lodger U. 22 do. do. do. William Carrigan do. U. 21 do. do. do. On the same date, half a mile away in Back Row, Shettleston, dwelt James and Sarah McGee who had amongst their children, a four year old Thomas, of whom more anon.
(There are no Reynolds nor Connelly families in the surviving fragments of the 1851 Census for Antrim, so no sign of Ritchie.)
There were a dozen or more coal mines stretched along through Shettleston at various times in the 19th Century. I have no information on when they were operating but there were the Palace and Gartocher No.7 pits in Eastmuir with Sandyhills (near the junction of Shettleston/Baillieston Road and Sandyhills Road) nearby.
1851 Peter Reynolds and Helen Reynolds were sponsors at the baptism of John, lawful child of John Travers and Mary Doyle, who was born on June 8 and baptised on June 19 by Fr. John Shaws in the parish of St. Mary's, Abercromby Street, Glasgow.
1852 From the Register of Baptisms for St. Paul's, Eastmuir (established in 1852) —
“Jane, lawful child of Patrick Reynolds and Helen Connelly, Catholics, was born on Saturday, February 28 and baptised on March 14 by Eugene Small, sponsors Patrick McEwan and Jane Kerr.”
Now, Jane's birthplace is given as Tollcross in the 1861 and 1881 censuses, as Old Monkland Parish in 1871 and just Lanarkshire in the 1891. My comment's on William's birthplace apply here also, with some additional thoughts about why William and Jane were born in Tollcross either side of the family residing in Eastmuir. The straightforward explanation would be that the family moved back and forth according to where Patrick was employed. However, it might be the case that Ellen had female kin or kith in Tollcross and went there for her confinements (it's only a mile away).
Jane married Robert Kelly in Wishaw, on July 14, 1873 and died on February 29, 1924 in Cleland, Lanarkshire.
1853 Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Connelly were sponsors at the baptism of Mary, lawful child of John Travers and Mary Doyle (Catholics), who was born on November 18 and baptised on November 30 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir.
1854 From the Register of Baptisms for St. Paul's, Eastmuir —
“Sarah, lawful child of Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Connelly (Catholics) was born on March 8 and baptised on March 12 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin, sponsors John Travers and Mary Doyle.”
Various censuses give her birthplace as Eastmuir.
Sarah married Cornelius Houston in Eastmuir on July 4, 1871 and died on July 19, 1891 at Omoa Square, Cleland.
1856 Patrick Renolds was born at 2h15m a.m. on Saturday, February 2 at Eastmuir, Shettleston to Helen Renolds m.s. Connelly and Patrick Renolds, Redsman. His birth was registered No.23 at Shettleston on February 8 by Patrick Renolds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
He was baptised [as Patrick Reynolds] by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in St. Paul's, Eastmuir on February 10 with sponsors Patrick Donnelly and Cath McKeown.
Patrick married Sarah Carroll at Carfin on August 17, 1876 and died on February 13, 1932 at Caldervale, Blantyre.
1856 August 17 The marriage of Andrew Conechy and Catherine Feeney was conducted by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir, with witnesses Patrick Reynolds and Catherine McKeon.
1857 Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Connelly were sponsors at the baptism of John, lawful child of John Connelly and Ellen Benston (Catholics), who was born on May 21 and baptised on June 14 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir. John was the younger brother of Ellen Connelly who married William in 1890.
A new stone church was opened in Eastmuir this year to replace the wooden building which had been in use previously. The new church remained in service until 1957.
1858 Catherine was born, in Eastmuir according to the 1861 Census but in Antrim according to the 1871 Census and in Ireland according to the 1881 and 1891 censuses. I much prefer the Irish origin as there is no record of her birth in Shettleston about that time, nor any entry in the Register of Baptisms for St. Paul's, Eastmuir.
I have inspected the Register of Baptisms for the R.C. Parish of Drumaul (which includes Randalstown) and the adjacent parishes of Ahogill and Dunean for the years 1857 - 1859 without seeing anything relevant. The appropriate years are not available other adjacent parishes Ahogill, Antrim and Braid.
The year of her birth is a best guess as she seems to have got younger as she got older, being 3 at the time of the census in 1861, 12 in 1871 and 21 in 1881. She gave her age as 22 when she married in September 1881.
Catherine married Patrick Smyth at Cleland on September 5, 1881 and died on October 16, 1913 in Cleland.
1860 John Ronalds was born at 11h30m p.m. on Wednesday, October 17 at Eastmuir, Shettleston to Helen Ronalds m.s. Connelly and Patrick Ronalds, Coalminer. His birth was registered No.211 at Shettleston on October 22 by Patrick Ronalds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
He was baptised [as John Reynolds] by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir on October 28 with sponsors Hugh Kelly and Margaret Brown.
John married Ellen McVey at Cleland on May 11, 1888 and, following her death, Annie McDermott at Cleland on December 6, 1901. He died on April 22, 1916 in Cleland.
1861 April 8 The family (still without Ritchie) were living in Houston's Land on the south side of Airdrie Road (now Shettleston Road) in the village of Eastmuir in a house in which 2 rooms had one or more windows. The household is listed as —
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Patrick Reynolds Head Mar. 35 Coal Miner Ireland Ellen do. Wife Mar. 35 do. William do. Son 11 Scholar Lanark, Tollcross Jane do. Daur. 9 do. do., do. Sarah do. Daur. 7 do. do., Eastmuir Patrick do. Son 5 do. do., do. Catherine do. Daur. 3 do., do. John do. Son 1 do., do. Ritchie, who would be about 13, is still missing. Perhaps he is in Ireland, or perhaps this is he with the Peebles family at 18 Braehead Row [Braehead Colliery on the Bredisholm Estate south of Bargeddie] in a house with three scholars and one windowed room.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Samuel Peebles Head Mar 36 Coal Miner Ireland 3 | 1 Mary Peebles Wife Mar 32 Ireland Rich. Peebles Son 10 Scholar Stirlingshire, Kilsyth Samuel Peebles Son 8 Scholar do., do. John Peebles Son 6 Scholar Dumbartonshire, Kirkintilloch James Peebles Son 4 Stirlingshire, Kilsyth Hugh Peebles Son 3 mo Lanark, Old Monkland Richard Ronalds Boarder Un 13 Coal Miner Drawer do., New Monkland If this is our Ritchie, what's he doing in Braehead? Why is he not working with his father in Shettleston? But I can't find any 3-year-old R Ronalds (or similar) in Lanarkshire in 1851.
Houston's Land was adjacent to St. Paul's Chapel House wherein dwelt —
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Patrick McLaughlin Head Unm. 40 RCath Pastor of
St. Paul's R.C. ChurchIreland Bridget Gillon Ser. Unm. 36 Housekeeper do. Mary Trainer Ser. Unm. 17 Domestic Ser. Ayrshire, Kilbirnie This is the redoubtable Fr. McLaughlin who gained considerable fame far beyond the local area when he did 15 days in jail for refusing to divulge the identity of a penitent thief who asked him to address an envelope for the return of stolen money, holding that the transaction was covered by professional confidentiality.
By this time, the McGees had moved to Lightburn and Thomas, aged 15, was an engraver.
1861 Now, here's a thing. On April 23, Fr. Patrick McLaughlin conducted the marriage of Thomas McNulty and Catherine McGee in St. Paul's. One of the witnesses was Patrick Reynolds who made "his X mark". It seems a little odd that 19 year old Thomas would have our 35 year old Patrick as best man (and a married man at that) but our Patricks are the only ones in Shettleston at this time.
I know nothing of Thomas beyond his parents' names, but I came across this marriage while investigating two households of Dunigans in Shettleston the members of which frequently crop up as baptismal sponsors and marriage witnesses for members of the family of James and Sarah (nee Dunigan) McGee in Lightburn, and less frequently, vice versa. Catherine's mother was Catherine Dunigan, daughter of John Dunigan and Catherine Cairney whereas Sarah's parents were John Dunigan and Ann Campbell.
The only things I know about Catherine's father, William McGee are his name, he was a coal miner, born in Glasgow about 1820 and that he appears to have died before the commencement of civil registration.
1862 There is an entry in the register of Baptisms for the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir which shows Jane Reynolds as sponsor to Ann, child of John Smith and Grace Gallaher (mixed religions) born March 17, 1861 and baptised on March 14, 1862 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin. Current Canon Law places a general minimum age of 16 on a sponsor but younger persons may act in exceptional circumstances. I don't know what special circumstances might have applied here to allow a ten year old to act but I have not come across any other Jane Reynolds in the district.
1863 May 7 The marriage of Hugh Hamilton and Marjory Coyle was conducted by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir, with witnesses Patrick Reynolds and Sarah McIlhutton. [Catherine, daughter of Daniel Colvin & Margaret McGee, married James McIlhatton (formerly McIlhutton) in 1908. I have not attempted to establish a connection with this Sarah.]
1863 Francis Ronalds was born at 2h0m p.m. on Saturday, September 26 in Eastmuir, Shettleston to Helen Ronalds, m.s. Connelly and Patrick Ronalds, Coal Miner who married in Ireland. His birth was registered No.221 at Shettleston on October 1 by Patrick Ronalds, "his X mark", Father, Present.
He was baptised (with surname Reynolds) by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir on October 2 with sponsor Bridget Gillon.
Francis married Rosina McDermott at Cleland on August 30, 1889 and died on August 23, 1932 in Cleland.
1864 The name Ellen Reynolds occurs as the sponsor at the baptism of Alexander, lawful child of Alexander Currans and Mary Baird (mixed religions), born on April 6 and baptised on May 18 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir.
Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Connelly were sponsors at the baptism of Richard, lawful child of Patrick McLaughlin and Margaret Kilpatrick (Catholics), born on July 8 and baptised on July 17 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir.
1865 Ellen Ronalds was born at 9h0m p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 at Camp Row, Baillieston to Ellen Ronalds m.s. Connelly and Patrick Ronalds, Coal Miner who married in Co. Antrim (Ireland) in 1845. Her birth was registered No.136 at Faulds, Baillieston (District of Old Monkland West) on May 24 by Patrick Ronalds, "his X mark", Father.
She was baptised (with correct surname) on July 28 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir with sponsors John Travers and Mary Doyle.
Sadly, Ellen lived less than a year and died on May 9, 1866.
1865 On June 7, 1924, the Glasgow Eastern Standard published an article by Kenneth M. McRae describing a walk from east to west through Shettleston as it was about 1865. This begins —
“From the Porter's Lodge on the left hand a wall extended to the small row of houses where lived, among others, such old Shettlestonians as Paddy Renolds and Tam Ewan, while at the end of this row stood St. Paul's Church, the clergyman of these days being Father McBrearty.”
1865 Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Connelly were sponsors at the baptism of Catherine, lawful child of Patrick McGreehan and Margaret Bains [or Burns] (Catholics), born on August 14 and baptised on August 20 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir.
1865 William Reynolds and Margaret Convrey [might be Couvery] were sponsors at the baptism of John, lawful child of Thomas McEwan and Martha Williams (mixed religions), born on August 11 and baptised on September 3 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir.
1866 Ellen Ronald (Single) died at 11h0m p.m. on Wednesday, May 9 at Camp Row, Baillieston, aged 12 months, of Pneumonia after 8 days, as certified by George Willis, Surgeon. Her parents are recorded as Patrick Ronald, Coal Miner and Ellen Ronald m.s. Connolly. Her death was registered No.71 at Faulds, Baillieston on the following day by Patrick Ronald, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Ellin Reynolds, age 1½, was buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, Dalbeth on the 11th. A fee of 2 shillings was paid. There is no lair reference for burials at that time.
1866 Patrick Reynolds and Jane Reynolds were sponsors at the baptism of James, lawful child of James Trainor and Elizabeth Cunningham (Catholics), born on August 14 and baptised on August 20 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir.
1867 Patrick Reynolds and Jane Reynolds were witnesses to the marriage of John Gillon and Ann McFadyn in St. Paul's on June 15. In 1902, three grandchildren of John and Ann died in a house fire in Rutherglen, along with Sarah Houston, grandaughter of Patrick's daughter Sarah.
[Note :– If these are our Patrick and Jane, then Jane was 15 years old and Patrick would (probably) be her father as her brother Patrick was be only 11.]
William Reynolds and Cath. McAleer were witnesses at the marriage of Peter King and Ann Gillespie in St. Paul's on June 30.
From the Register of Marriages in St. Paul's, Eastmuir —
“Die 1a Septembris – Casus Inexpressibilium Terentius Keegan et Margarita Drainan. Terentius Keegan et Margarita Drainan qui per 16 annos in statu concubinatus viner[u/i]nt, hodie post tres successivas proclamatione eaquad hic casus non fuit ignatus, a me nodo matrimoniali conjunti sunt, presentibus Patritio Reynold & Sara Reynold. Patritius McLaughlin”
1868 Joseph Renolds was born at 10h0m a.m. on Saturday, August 8 at Eastmuir, Shettleston to Helen Renolds m.s. Connelly and Patrick Renolds, Coal Miner who married in Ireland. The birth was registered No.148 at Shettleston on August 11 by Patrick Renolds, "his X mark" , Father, Present.
[There are two entries for Joseph in the index, one for Renolds and one for Reynolds but both point to the same entry in the register with surname Renolds.]
He was baptised by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's, Eastmuir on August 16 with sponsors Bernard Carville and Jane Couvney [might be Couvrey or Convery].
Joseph married Ellen McDermott at Cleland on July 18, 1890 and died on June 17, 1933 in Cleland.
1869 Patrick Reynolds and Ellen Connelly were sponsors at the baptism of Margaret, lawful child of Patrick McGreehan and Margaret Burns [or Bains] (Catholics), born on July 15 and baptised on July 21 by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir.
1871 April 2 The family were still in Eastmuir, in Houston's East Row on the Airdrie Road and still with 2 windowed rooms. (I don't know if the property had been redeveloped or just renamed but it seems to be in the same location as the Houston's Land of 1861.) The household is listed as —
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Patrick Reynolds Head Mar. 44 Coalminer Antrim, Ireland Helen C Reynolds Wife Mar. 44 Wife do., do. William Son Unm. 21 Coalminer Lanark, Old Monkland Jane Daur. do. 19 Mill Weaver do., do. Sarah Daur. do. 17 do. do. do., Barony Patrick Son do. 15 do., do. Catherine Daur. do. 12 Antrim, Ireland John Son do. 10 Lanark, Barony Francis do. do. 7 do., do. Joseph do. do. 2 do., do. The nearest I can find for Ritchie is the following household in Metal Row near Newarthill, in a house with one windowed room.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace John Gilmour Head Mar 60 Coal Miner Ayr, Daily 1 Mary do. Wife 49 Wife Lanark, Tollcross Sarah do. Daur ? Scholar do., Springburn Richard Ronnald(s) Boarder Unm 20 Coal Miner do., Airdrie Henry Murphy do. do. ? do. Ayr, Kilbirnie There is a small smear at the end of Richard's name which might be part of the letter "s". Whether or no, I think this is our man.
I have failed to find Mary Lafferty in this census though I have found the rest of her known family - in Newarthill.
The chapel house in Eastmuir (called St. Paul's Cottage this time) was occupied by —
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace George McBrearty Head Unm. 32 Roman Catholic Priest Renfrew, Greenock Teresa Tynan
Servant do. 31 Housekeeper & Servant Parsontown, K. Co. Ireland [Parsonstown, K(ings).Co. is now Birr, Co. Offaly]
The McGees were still in Lightburn where Thomas, aged 25, still unmarried, was a Hand Engraver to Calico Printer. In 1875 he married Margaret Hyslop in Manchester, in 1879 they had a son James who, in the fullness of time, became the father of Rosa McGee.
1871 On Tuesday, July 4, Sarah married Cornelius Houston at St. Paul's, Eastmuir. [See Section HN-6-4 for further information.]
I wondered if Cornelius had any connection with the property in which the Reynolds lived but my researches found that his Houstons were immigrant coal miners (like the Reynoldses) who came to Shettleston via Ayrshire and New Kilpatrick and there is nothing to suggest that they were moonlighting as property owners.
1871 December 1 The marriage of Constantine O'Neil and Margaret Drain was conducted by Fr. Patrick McLaughlin in the parish of St. Paul's Eastmuir, with witnesses Pat. Reynolds and Mrs Rose Rodan.
1873 On Tuesday, June 17, Ritchie married Mary Lafferty at Newarthill. [See Section RS-6-1 for further information.]
Since all following events take place in the east of Lanarkshire, (with the exception of William's marriages,) I think that the whole family had moved from Eastmuir by this time.
1873 On Monday, July 14, Jane married Robert Kelly at the Roman Catholic Church, Wishaw [probably St. Ignatius of Loyola]. [See Section KY-6-1 for further information.]
1876 On Thursday, August 17, Patrick married Sarah Carroll at Carfin [probably St. Francis Xavier]. [See Section RS-6-3 for further information.]
1881 April 3 By this date, the family were living in Omoa at No.71 Omoa Square (previously Omoa Iron Works which had closed in the 1860s) in a house with one windowed room.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Patrick Reynolds Head Mar. 58 Coal Miner Ireland Ellen do. Wife Mar. 58 do. Catherine do. Daur. Unm. 21 Brickworker do. John do. Son Unm. 19 Coal Miner Lanarkshire, Barony Francis do. Son Unm. 16 do. do. Joseph do. Son 12 Scholar do. Ritchie and Mary Lafferty were living at No.35 with three children while Patrick and Sarah Carroll dwelt at No.95, also with three children.
William was living in Rutherglen, a lodger with a family named Hillon.
Jane and Robert Kelly with four children were living at Metal Row, Newarthill, two doors from Mary Lafferty's mother Ellen and her second husband John McNicol.
Sarah and Cornelius Houston with five children were down in Ayrshire in the village of Kersland in the Parish of Dalry.
1881 On Monday, July 18, William married Catherine Hillon at St. Columbkille's, Rutherglen. [See Section RS-6-2 for further information.]
1881 On Monday, September 5, Catherine married Patrick Smyth at St. Mary's, Cleland. [See Section SM-6-1 for further information.]
1882 Patrick Reynolds, Coalminer, Married to Helen Connelly, died at 1h30m a.m. on Thursday, November 30 at Omoa Square, Shotts Parish, aged 56, of Bronchitis after 14 days as certified by John Taylor, Physician Surgeon. His parents are recorded as William Reynolds, Labourer and Catherine Reynolds m.s. Hammill, both deceased. His death was registered No.39 at Cleland in the West District of Shotts on the same day by John Reynolds, Son, Present.
1888 On Friday, May 11, John married Ellen McVey at St. Mary's, Cleland. [See Section RS-6-4 for further information.]
1889 On Friday, August 30, Francis married Rosina McDermott at St. Mary's, Cleland. [See Section RS-6-5 for further information.]
1890 On Friday, July 18, Joseph married Ellen McDermott at St. Mary's, Cleland. [See Section RS-6-6 for further information.]
1891 April 5 Ellen was living in at McAuley's Property, Cleland, in a house in which only one room had one or more windows. With her was her granddaughter Ellen Kelly (aged 15). All of her known children were living along the road in Omoa Square —
No.3 Ritchie & Mary Lafferty with 6 children No.4 Catherine & Patrick Smyth with 5 children No.34 Patrick & Sarah Carroll with 8 children No.49 William & Ellen (his second wife) with 3 children No.55 Jane & Robert Kelly with 9 children (not counting Ellen) No.69 Francis & Rosina McDermott with daughter Ellen No.71 John & Ellen McVey with 2 children No.79 Sarah & Cornelius Houston with 7 children (not counting Sarah) No.111 Joseph & Ellen McDermott with no children yet. Also in Omoa Square, at No.98, there was Sarah, oldest child of Sarah and Cornelius Houston, with her husband of five months, John McCafferty.
All were in houses which had only one room with one or more windows except Jane and Robert who had two windowed rooms.
1896 Ellen Reynolds, Widow of Patrick Reynolds, Coalminer, died at 6h0m a.m. on Saturday, April 11 at 3 Omoa Square, West District of Shotts, aged 66 [the same age she was in 1891!], of bronchitis and debility after 1 month 7 days as certified by John Lithgow, M.B.C.M. Her parents are recorded as Richard Connolly, Farmer, and Sarah Connolly, m.s. O'Neil, both deceased. Her death was registered No.20 at Cleland (West District of Shotts) on the same day by Francis Reynolds, Son, Present, who gave his address as 67 Omoa Square [he was living at 69 Omoa Square in 1891].
3 Omoa Square was Ritchie's address in 1891, though he was elsewhere when Sarah and Katie were born in 1892 and 1895 respectively.
In 1896, there were three pits operating in Omoa; Beggarford (probably Biggarford) employing 34 underground and 7 surface workers, Greenhill employing 74 underground and 11 surface workers (both owned by the same company) and Hareshaw employing 53 underground and 7 surface workers.