Sholom Sherizen — “Samuel” of Toronto
Life
Born in Mozyr in 1872. He is on the 1906 Mozyr Duma voter list as Sholom son of Leyb, on the same page as Zus son of Zelik, and gone from the 1907 list. By late 1915 he was in Toronto, where he was “Sam” or “Samuel”: second-hand goods on Queen Street East, later brewer's supplies, and from 1936 College Street. He died on 24 Sivan 5700 (30 June 1940) and is buried in the Mozirer Sick Benefit Society plot at Roselawn Avenue Cemetery. Six documents name him as the father of Shia, Herman and Joe. His Canadian naturalization and his 1940 Ontario death registration have not been found.
Facts
- proven Graded PROVEN in Instinct's Oct 20 package: Toronto's “Samuel” Sherizen was R' Sholom ben R' Yehuda Leib, father of Sam (Shia), Herman and Joe, on six documents (Herman's 1918 draft card and 1921 marriage affidavit, Sam's 1918 marriage register, Joe's 1933 licence, Sam's stone, and Sholom's own stone). Source: Instinct's research package to Tab (graded tree), Oct 20, 2026 found by Instinct
- confirmed Gravestone: “R' Sholom ben R' Yehuda Leib”, Samuel Sherizen 1872–1940, d. 30 Jun 1940 (24 Sivan 5700), Mozirer plot, Roselawn Avenue Cemetery, Toronto. source ↗ found by Instinct
- confirmed 1906 Mozyr Duma voter list, row 4328: Sherayzin Sholom Leybov; not on the 1907 list. Source: Minsk Gubernskie Vedomosti, 1906 voter list (scan found by Instinct) found by Instinct
- probable 1930 Mozirer Sick Benefit Society silver-jubilee book (1905–1930), p. 35: a greeting panel printed “שלום שערייזען”. Strong match, not unique proof: no age, address or family. source ↗ found by Instinct
- confirmed Father of Shia, Herman and Joe, from six documents: Herman's 1918 draft card (“Sam Sherizen, father”), Herman's 1921 marriage, Shia's 1916 crossing (“father Sholem”), Shia's 1918 marriage (“S. Sherizen”), Joe's 1933 licence (“Sam Sherizen”), Shia's stone (“Shmuel ben R' Shalom”). “Sam” in these papers is Sholom (Muse's audit asked that this be said plainly). Source: Instinct's tree M197, “Six documents, one father” found by Instinct
- confirmed Toronto addresses: 201 Queen St E (1916 directory, second-hand goods); roomed at 54 Cameron St 1916–18; 158 Queen E about 1917–26; 258 Queen E to 1930; 882 College St 1936–40. Source: Toronto city directories 1913–1950 (read by Instinct) found by Instinct
- confirmed Naturalized in Canada: Herman's 1928 declaration says he was “naturalized in Canada thru father's papers”. The Canadian record itself is not found (likely before 1915). Source: Herman's 1928 declaration of intention, Detroit found by Instinct
- unproven Later wife: Annie Sherizen (1890–1967) is a candidate (Instinct: unproven; no marriage record). Joe's 1933 licence names his mother “Elaine Rapeport”, a conflict left open. Nechume Malle, mother of Shia and Herman, is proven (see her page). Source: Tab's research notes (compiled from the records) found by Tab
- unproven Find a Grave family links connect him to Annie (wife) and Lily (daughter). User-contributed links, not primary. source ↗ found by Instinct
- negative Searched with nothing found: the Canadian naturalization index 1915–1951 (no Sherizen under any spelling) and the 1921 census of Canada (Sholom's own household not found; his sons' households are documented). Source: Instinct's research package to Tab (record transcriptions), Oct 20, 2026 found by Instinct
Timeline
- 1872Born, Mozyr
- 16 Jul 1893Son Shia born
- about 1897Son Herman born
- 29 Aug 1900Son Joe born
- 1906Mozyr Duma voter list #4328
- 1906Daughter Lily born, Mozyr (probable)
- by late 1915In Toronto
- 1916Directory: second-hand goods, 201 Queen St E
- 1930Greeting in the Mozirer society's jubilee book
- 1936–40882 College St
- 30 Jun 1940Dies, Toronto (24 Sivan 5700)
Photographs and documents 10
Mozirer Sick Benefit Society plot, Roselawn Avenue Cemetery. The Hebrew reads R' Sholom ben R' Yehuda Leib.
The one page that shows both branches side by side in Mozyr.
Roselawn Avenue Cemetery, Toronto, Mozirer Sick Benefit Society plot.
“R' Sholom son of R' Yehuda Leib”, died 24 Sivan 5700 (June 30, 1940). This is the spelling the site now uses for him.
The Toronto society of people from Mozyr; Sholom is buried in its plot.
Strong identification, not uniquely proved: the panel gives no age, address or patronymic (Instinct, M185).
Printed “Шерайзинъ Шоломъ Лейбовъ”.
Two men with the father Leyb in Mozyr; that they are brothers is probable, not proved.
The business matches Sholom's brewing-supplies shop on Queen St W; the first name is printed “John”. Instinct treats the 1935–40 directory Sherizen of this business as Sholom (strong hypothesis).
Hebrew script appears only where a photographed stone or printed page shows it. Other Hebrew names are given in transliteration.