Have you tried to trace the children of William and Georgiana, to find an obituary? On occasion, I've read obits that state where the parents were born.
This may be coincidental, but, possibly their daughter, Henrietta?
(I have not yet found James Allison in 1880)
1892 Buffalo Ward 01 Census
James Allison, age 47, born Scotland, Seaman
Henrietta, age 44, born U. States
John, age 10, born U. States
George, age 8, born U. States
James, age 5, born U. States
1900 Buffalo Ward 1 Census
James Allison, born January 1845 Scotland, married 20 years, Sailor
Henrietta, wife, born December 1849 England, parents born Scotland, mother of 5 children 2 still living.
John, son, born September 1881, New York, Fisherman
Frank, son, born March 1893, New York, at school
Immigration dates unknown for parents
Address: "Sea Wall foot of South Michigan Street no House Numbers"
1910 Buffalo CensusHenrietta Allison, age 61, widowed, mother of 5 children 2 still living, born England as were parents, immigrated 1851
John, son, age 27, single, Laborer, Pile Driver
Frank, son, age 17, single, Laborer, Dry Dock(?)
Both sons were born in New York. Place of birth for parents looks like Scot (crossed out) Eng added above Scot.
Address: "Wall Street (The Beach)"
1920 Buffalo Ward 1 Census
Henrietta Allison, age 71, unknown immigration date, born England, parents born Scotland
1930 Buffalo CensusHenrietta Allison, age 73
, widowed, age at first marriage 35, born England as were her parents
John, son, age 42, single, born NY, parents born England, Pile Driver, City
