Александр was born on March 17th, 1895 and his christening took place on March 19th, 1895. His godfather was Уткин Лаврентий Петрович Потомственный почетный гражданин and his godmother was Александра Александрова Добровольская жена московского купца. Александр's father was Владимир Александрович Шишов and his mother was Пелагея Лавреньтьева (Шишова). His paternal grandparents were Александр Владимирович Шишов and Клавдия Матвеевна (Шишова). He had two sisters named Вера and Анна. He was the youngest of the three children.