Rev. Gregory Soroka's parents b. 1866, imm. from Poland/Russia

Question

I'm searching for the names of Gregory Soroka's parents.  He was born in Poland/Russia about 12 Jan 1886, and died in Dearborn Heights, Wayne County, Michigan abt 31 Jul 1973.  Records vary, but he was born in Siemiatichy, Russia / Simiotycz, Russia / Belsk, Russia / Alta, Simatiche, Poland /

His birth name may have been Grzrgorzowi Sorock or Soroka.

He immigrated to the United States by way of Hamburg, Germany and Liverpool, England aboard the Lucania.  I believe he arrived in the port of New York February 2, 1907.  Matters are confused by the fact that he lived Pennsylvania, then Minnesota, then Pennsylvania, then Alberta, Canada, then Pennsylvania again, then died in Michigan (not sure if he had recently moved there, or if he was just visiting his son, who lived there).

(By comparing records, I have determined that he probably came from present-day Siemiatycze, Poland. Bielsk Podlaski is about 43 KM away, and larger.  He may have been born in the city, but grew up in Siemiatycze. He also could've meant Belsky, or Belsk, Poland, which is southwest of Warsaw.)

I have been unable to trace him at all prior to his departure from Hamburg.

I have contacted the cemetery where he is buried, and they don't have a record of his parents' names.

There is a great deal of information about him (pardon the mess that his profile is currently in, I hope to have it organized by the end of the year). He became a Russian Orthodox priest after his immigration, and there are a number of documents and newspaper articles, but I can't find even one that mentions his parents.

I have literally checked every source I can think of apart from the funeral home and his death certificate.  I'm not sure that I can get a copy of his death certificate, because this is my cousin's wife's great-grandfather, and no relation of mind.  Where I live, you cannot get a death certificate unless you can prove you are related, though I'm not sure how that varies elsewhere.

Answer 1

First step would probably be to order his Social Security application, known as the SS-5 form. This will include another data point for his place of birth, as well as the names of his parents.

Answer 2

If Grzegorz Soroka was born in Siemiatycze - there is a Orthodox Church. Bielsk Podlaski is not so far from Siemiatycze. Unfortunately metrical documents are not digitalized yet and are available in Archiwum Państwowe w Białymstoku/ National Archives in Białystok in paper version. I have checked orthodox church 1886 - but unfortunately there is a lack of book which includes this year. They have 1846-1850, 1888-1889, 1890-1891. You can check it on web : www.szukajwarchiwach.pl or try to call to manager of NA : +48 7435603. I do not know if they speak English, but probably yes.

Answer 3

Russian orthodox reverend, moved to Pennsylvania, from a location near Bialystok, Poland.  During the Russian imperial period, this was in the Vilnius Gubinorate, which certainly qualifies as Russia Poland.   A family tree is at:

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/153954021/person/252033875577/facts