Mary Ann Morison (always spelled with one 'R') was born October 20, 1847 in New Haven, No. Leith Parish, Scotland. She was born to Andrew Low Morison and Hellen "Ellen" Simpson Doig. At the time of her birth, her father Andrew was a grocer in New Haven. New Haven was a small 'burgh' near the port of Leith, Scotland.
Her family is listed in the 1851 Scottish Census:
Living at #3 Maitland St., New Haven, North Leith; living in household:
Line: 9
Roll: CSSCT1851_187
Household Members: Name Age
Andrew Morrison 36 Grocer
Helen Morrison 35
Andrewina Morrison 9
Helen Morrison 7
Mary Ann Morrison 4
Jean ( Jane) Morrison 2
Sarah Galloway 14 yr old servant Burnistland, Fife
Andrew's brother, John, was listed at Maitland Place, No. Leith, with his family in the Scottish 1841 census.
In 1855 the family emigrated to Melbourne, Australia. Several of Mary Ann's maternal uncles had previously gone to Australia as the building business was booming there at that time.
Unassisted Immigration to Victoria, Australia
Index of Inward Passenger Lists for British, Foreign and New Zealand Ports 1852-1923
Family Name First Name Age Month Year Ship Port Fiche Page
MORRISON ANDREW 39 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
MORRISON HELEN 38 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
MORRISON ANDREWINA 12 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
MORRISON HELEN 9 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
MORRISON MARY ANN 6 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
MORRISON JANE 4 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
MORRISON ROBERT 2 APR 1855 VENILIA B 091 001
In 1858 the family was living on Patrick St., Hobart, Tasmania
Tasmania Directory 1866
MORRISON, Andrew St. John Street , Launceston, Tasmania
Also in 1866, the family lost their only son, Robert Wilson Hedderick Morison. Robert died from "irritation of the brain" on December 14, and was buried in the Presbyterian Scotch Cemetery - High Street, Launceston
The Morison family were in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia until 1868, when they returned to Edinburgh, Scotland. Mary Ann's sister, Andrewina Morison, remained to marry Henry Heald, Jr. The couple had 9 children, and Andrewina died in 1891 in Launceston, Tasmania.
The family resided at #22 St. John Place when they settled back in Edinburgh, which is located off the 'Royal Mile'. Mary Ann's father Andrew, at that time, was noted as a 'Vinter of Spirits' ...his brother John Morison was a licensed dealer with 18 employees at that time, so it may be that Andrew worked with his brother.
Mary Ann's father died in December, 1871, and Mary Ann moved into her own apartment at 15 Bristow St., Edinburgh. It was around this time that Mary Ann met her future husband, Francis 'Frank' Oliphant Steeples.
Marriage Certificate:
Name: Francis Steeples
Marriage Date: 8 May 1872
Marriage Place: Edinburgh Parish,Edinburgh,Midlothian,Scotland
Spouse: Mary Ann Morison
FHL Film Number: 6035516
Marriage cert from GRO in Edinburgh (# 74266) Mary Ann is listed as a 'spinster at time of marriage, with usual residence "15 Bristow St." Edinburgh. Father, Andrew Morison, listed as deceased 'joiner' at time of Mary Ann's marriage, and mother listed as Hellen Doig Morison. Minister listed as an R.R. Robertson, witness's names: 'J. Morison and and 'T. Grant, the other is David Steeples, brother to Francis.
The night of their marriage, the couple boarded a ship to America.
Per marriage license, Francis' father and mother were both deceased at the time of his marriage. His father, William, was a house painter, and his mother was listed as Isabella Oliphant Steeples. At time of marriage, address was given as "10 Society St., Edinburgh".
Pam Marks 
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