Allan was the second child of William and Elizabeth McRoberts. He was born on March 16, 1876 and raised near Parry Sound, Ontario.

Allan married Johanna Folsher. They had one son William George McRoberts that was stillborn. They adopted a child, William Allan McRoberts.

Johanna was on the 1957 census but not on the 1958 census.  Allan was listed in 1968 as retired and living in Belvedere Heights retirement home.