My relative disappeared most likely between 1930-1940 in the Portland area of Oregon. He had emigrated from Norway and was regularly sending letters back home to his step-mother in Norway. Suddenly the letters stopped, and no one has heard from him ever since. His sister, my great grandmother spent all her life thinking about this mystery (she past away in 1997, 96 years old). Now I am determent to solve this case, and I hope you have some inputs.
I have taken the liberty to create a timeline of his know whereabouts.
First some general information:
Name: Emil Bernhard Thorsø (known as Emil Thorsen in the US)
Birth date: January 9. 1883
Birth place: Kristiansund, Norway
Father's name: Hans Thorsø
Mother's name: Beret Svendsdatter Step-mother: Johanna Jørgine
Description from WW1 registry card:Tall, medium built with blue eyes and brown hair.
Timeline:
1900: Norwegian census. Working as a steam worker on the ship Haugesund.
1905: He is sending a letter home to Norway from the ship USS Brooklyn. The return address is "E.BThorsen. U.S.S Brooklyn /@ postmaster (Newgard?) U.S.S) The letter is stamped New Orleans.
1910: Norwegian census. Stated to be in America.
1918: He is found on a registry card for WW1 as a marine fireman. Living in Portland, Oregon.
1925: Sends a letter back home saying he is working the woods. Portland, Oregon.
1930: American census. Living in Portland, Oregon. Working on the US Tender Rose (Lightship).
Known addresses:
73 NE Sr. Portland, Oregon
80th st. NE.
Address clue:
1924 Portland City Directory
Thorsen
Info:
In 1909 a man named Emil Thorsen is filing an naturalization in clatscop, Oregon. That´s not the right person. I have seen the naturalization papers.
He was reported missing through the Salvation Army, but unfortunately they do not have any records from this time period.
In 1953 "Bernhard Thorsoe" is showing up on some passenger lists, but this is his cousin.
Most likely scenario?:
I have been in contact with the president of the US Light Ship organization, and he tells me that this was a very dangerous job and it was not uncommon that people just disappeared. Could he have died while working?
I have tried to attack this several times, but I never seem to crack it. I want to inform you that I haves ome threads about this matter on some genealogy sites. I have given all relevant information from those threads to this one. I have tried to give as much information as possible (maybe to much?). If someone wants me to remove some of the information, please let me know. I really hope we can finally solve this case.
I have taken the liberty to create a timeline of his know whereabouts.
First some general information:
Name: Emil Bernhard Thorsø (known as Emil Thorsen in the US)
Birth date: January 9. 1883
Birth place: Kristiansund, Norway
Father's name: Hans Thorsø
Mother's name: Beret Svendsdatter Step-mother: Johanna Jørgine
Description from WW1 registry card:Tall, medium built with blue eyes and brown hair.
Timeline:
1900: Norwegian census. Working as a steam worker on the ship Haugesund.
1905: He is sending a letter home to Norway from the ship USS Brooklyn. The return address is "E.BThorsen. U.S.S Brooklyn /@ postmaster (Newgard?) U.S.S) The letter is stamped New Orleans.
1910: Norwegian census. Stated to be in America.
1918: He is found on a registry card for WW1 as a marine fireman. Living in Portland, Oregon.
1925: Sends a letter back home saying he is working the woods. Portland, Oregon.
1930: American census. Living in Portland, Oregon. Working on the US Tender Rose (Lightship).
Known addresses:
73 NE Sr. Portland, Oregon
80th st. NE.
Address clue:
1924 Portland City Directory
Thorsen
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Info:
In 1909 a man named Emil Thorsen is filing an naturalization in clatscop, Oregon. That´s not the right person. I have seen the naturalization papers.
He was reported missing through the Salvation Army, but unfortunately they do not have any records from this time period.
In 1953 "Bernhard Thorsoe" is showing up on some passenger lists, but this is his cousin.
Most likely scenario?:
I have been in contact with the president of the US Light Ship organization, and he tells me that this was a very dangerous job and it was not uncommon that people just disappeared. Could he have died while working?
I have tried to attack this several times, but I never seem to crack it. I want to inform you that I haves ome threads about this matter on some genealogy sites. I have given all relevant information from those threads to this one. I have tried to give as much information as possible (maybe to much?). If someone wants me to remove some of the information, please let me know. I really hope we can finally solve this case.