Beila Moor

Who was Mrs Beila Moor?

Mrs Beila Moor was a Ukrainian-Russian immigrant and Titanic survivor who demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of personal tragedy and global events. Born in 1882, she escaped persecution in her homeland, survived the sinking of the Titanic, and ultimately built a new life in America.

Early Life and Family

Beila Moor (née Shapiro) was born on May 20, 1882, within the Russian Empire, possibly in Ukraine. She was the daughter of Meier Shapiro and Adele Melamut. Details about her early life are scarce, but her story is intertwined with the tumultuous events of early 20th century Eastern Europe.

A Life Shaped by Adversity

Beila’s life was marked by tragedy from an early age:

She married a man named Reuben, about whom little is known
They had a son, Meier, born on November 15, 1904
Reuben reportedly died in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905
Beila became a young widow with an infant son

Escape from Persecution

Family lore suggests that “Moor” was not Beila’s true married name, but rather an assumed identity. This subterfuge was reportedly necessary to:

Hide their tracks as they fled Russia
Protect her son from forced conscription into the Russian Army
Escape persecution and pogroms against Jews

This decision to flee highlights the perilous situation for many Jewish families in the Russian Empire during this period.

The Journey to a New Life

First Attempt at Transatlantic Crossing

Beila’s path to a new life was not straightforward:

July 7, 1911: Boarded the SS Montezuma in Antwerp
Travelled as third-class passengers
Destination: Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, to stay with an uncle
Arrived in Québec but were detained
Sent back across the Atlantic for unknown reasons

London Interlude

After their failed attempt to reach Canada, Beila and Meier:

Did not return to Russia
Stayed with relatives in London
Lived with cousin Isaac Slater, a Russian-born tailor, at 95 Bedford Street, Whitechapel

The Fateful Titanic Voyage

Boarding the Titanic

In a second attempt to cross the Atlantic, Beila and her son:

Boarded the Titanic at Southampton
Travelled as third-class passengers
Ticket number: 392096
Ticket cost: £12, 9s, 6d
Assigned cabin: E121

Survival and Rescue

Beila and Meier’s experience during the sinking was harrowing:

They managed to reach the upper decks
Both survived the sinking
Some historians believe they may have been in lifeboat 14, though this is unconfirmed

Beila’s recollection of the events was hazy, as reported by The Call on April 20, 1912:

“Mrs Beila Moor, who is a widow, her husband having been killed in the Russo-Japanese War, said that she felt the ship was going to be drowned and she grabbed her little boy and clung to him until shoved into a lifeboat. She said she did not remember boarding the lifeboat, and the only thing she remembered, she said, was the hysterics and fainting of the passengers when picked up aboard the Carpathia.”

Life After the Titanic

Arrival in New York

Upon arrival in New York:

Beila was described as a tailoress
Their stated destination was the home of uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. H. Kaufman at 943 Randolph Street, Chicago
They recuperated at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society on East Broadway, Manhattan
Beila and Meier were featured in famous photographs of survivors published in local newspapers

Building a New Life in America

Beila’s journey continued after the Titanic:

Spent two years in Canada before entering the USA
Became known as Bella Moore in America
Remarried on January 11, 1914, to Max Trayzohn, a Russian immigrant and tailor
Ran a dry goods store in Chicago with her new husband
Became a widow again on October 7, 1932

Later Years and Legacy

In her later years, Bella:

Lived with her son Meyer, first in Chicago
Moved to El Paso, Texas in the late 1940s
Spent the remainder of her life in El Paso

Bella Moor passed away on January 29, 1958, at the age of 75 (seventy-five), following a heart attack at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in El Paso. She was laid to rest in the city’s B’nai Zion Cemetery the following day.

Beila Moor’s life story is a testament to the resilience of immigrants and survivors. From fleeing persecution in Russia to surviving one of history’s most famous maritime disasters, she persevered to build a new life in America, leaving behind a legacy of strength and determination.