Theodore (Thorbjorn) Michelson/Michaelsen was born November 2, 1896, in Christiana, Norway, the son of William (Vilhelm) and Hannah (Smebije) Michaelsen. He was baptised January 17, 1897 in Oslo, Norway. Other children in the family were Salverg and Walter. The family arrived in New York City on October 17, 1905, traveling on the ship Hellig Olav. The father, William, was a machinist by trade, working on "heating apparatus." Upon arrival in the U.S., the family lived in Brooklyn, New York.
Theodore registered for the draft during WWI. He stated that his employer was "Morse Drydock and Repair Company." His physical description was "tall, medium build" with blue eyes and brown hair, and his next-of-kin was his father- "Vilhelm Michaelsen."
In August of 1918 Theodore married Helen Josephine Dunne in Kings County, New York. The couple made their home in Brooklyn, where he worked as a manager in the field of export goods, and later as a machinist at a printing company.
Theodore became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. on August 29, 1928, relenquishing his allegiance to "Haakon VII, King of Norway." By this time the couple had two children, Helene and James. In 1940 the family was living at 411 Avenue L, with the addition of both of Helen's parents, and a "sister-in-law".
In 1942, at the age of 46, Theodore was required to register for the draft. They were then living on Talbot Street, Kew Gardens, in Queens, and he was working for a printing company.
Helen Dunne Michaelsen died October 9, 1946, in Queens, New York. Theodore Michaelsen died March 26, 1980, and was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: U.S. Social Security Death Index; Norway Select Baptisms, 1634-1927; New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957; 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940 U.S. Federal Censuses; Selected U.S. Naturalization Records, Original Documents, 1790-1974; U.S. WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942; New York, New York, Marriage Index, 1866-1937; New York, New York, Death Index, 1862-1948.