Both his parents emigrated from Galicia, Poland. They were from the same area but arrived in the United States separately. Public records indicate that Martin Michelosen was either Polish, Austrian, or Ukrainian. He was born in Galicia in 1889 then the northernmost province of the Austrian portion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, there were many diverse groups living here and Martin identified himself as Ukrainian but of Polish citizenship when applying for citizenship. He officially changed his name from Martyn Michalyszyn (transcribed from the Cyrillic alphabet used in the Ukrainian language) to Martin Michelosen when applying for American citizenship in 1931 18 years after his arrival.
Perspective Of An Average Steelers Fan: John Michelosen, Ambridge All-Star
