Do you have a copy of the marriage certificate or John or Ellen/Helen's death certifcate's these should give you more details.


I found Helen Colligan in 1881 Census

I found John & Ellen in the 1871

1871 Scotland Census about John Colligan
Name: John Colligan
Age: 51
Estimated birth year: abt 1820
Relationship: Head
Spouse's name : Ellen Colligan
Gender: Male
Where born: Camprie, cumberlandshire
Registration Number: 647
Registration district: Hamilton
Civil Parish: Hamilton
County: Lanarkshire
Address: 56 Watsonville
Occupation: Coal Miner

Birth place for john could possibly be Campsie Stirlingshire.

Household Members:
Name Age
John Colligan 51, Head
Ellen Colligan 58, wife, born Shotts Lanarkshire
Jean Higgings 41, visitor, b Ireland Occ: Travelling Braker??
John Colligan 16, nephew, b New Monkland Lanarkshire Occ: Coal Miner
Henry Mcdonald 11, visitor, b Rillamill Lanarkshire Scholar
Ellen Colligan 5, grand daughter, Rothwell Lanarkshire

Ellen 5, I think should be born Bothwell not Rothwell

Couldn't find them on any other Census before 1871 possibly incorrect name spelling or transcript error.

I found three baptisms, all in Old Monkland Lanarkshire
Margaret bap 18 Jun 1839
Nancy bap 12 Aug 1841
Jess bap 26 Nov 1843 (male)

parents
John Colligan
Helen Gardiner

You should be able to find the records on Scotlands People site for the children at least it should give you their marriage date, which would make a search for the marriage certificate easier, if you don't already have it.