Featured Curious about this woman's status - Maid? Nurse? Young Widow?

I got this cabinet card at a recent estate sale. They had apparently had a large number of older photographs, but having arrived after the start and at with a long line in front of me, all the photos seemed to be gone by the time I got inside. Then lo and behold, this one was sitting by itself on top of a pile of vintage clothes and linens in one of the bedrooms. It intrigued me with her unusual outfit and for dollar I could not say no.

To me she looks to be late teens, early twenties in age. Photog was a Sansom in Crystal, North Dakota. Crystal is in the far northeastern corner of the state - almost Canada and almost Minnesota. Small town and I would assume farming. Very dark dress of a tailored cut, high lace collar, little white doily on her head, is that a corsage on her shoulder? What thoughts do you all have about the outfit. Do you think it's related to an occupation? A religious affiliation?

Unfortunately there is nothing written on it anywhere to ID her. I'm just very curious.

 

Would they wear a uniform?

Clearly the area had lots of Scandinavian immigrants, so it's possible.

 

With her hand resting on a book, I think the photo may record an important event such as a confirmation, or graduation. If she is Norwegian, it might be Luther's small catechism book.

 

I was wondering about the book - which I thought too small to be a religious one. Thanks for the tip, 2many!

 

I don't think her dress is a uniform, just her well tailored best dress. Looks about turn of the century. The relatively short length would be typical for a young girl.

 

So she's probably younger than I had been thinking.

 

Thanks for you input, 2manybooks and I need help ! What I have gathered is that she's dressed in her circa 1900 Sunday Best dress, possibly for an event such as Confirmation or Graduation, placing her in the 14-18 age group. The dark colors are not likely to be related to an occupation or mourning.

 

I agree with the other inputs on the photos, I have seen very similar Norwegian photos of the time period, great find!

 

I just scrolled through the 20 pages of the 1900 Census for Pembina County, 10 of which were for residents of "Crystal City." All the people of Norwegian birth or descent lived outside of town. And they appear to be outnumbered by Canadians and people born in Ireland and England. But I agree that she does have more of a Norwegian look than anything else.

 

I'd guess the dress was dark green rather than black. Confirmation is my guess too. Maybe a Norwegian saint's day of some kind?

 

Definitely not a nurse. Nurses of this era wore way more clothes than this girl & their caps were not flat on their heads.

 

She's adorable. Wearing a middy blouse with what appears to be an artificial floral headpiece and corsage. And look at the size of those feet! According to the internet, Lutheran confirmation usually takes place at 14 which, to my eye, looks possible. If it were a high school graduation photo, she'd more likely be wearing white which was fashionable at the time.

Debora

 

Here's information on the photographer from a list of period North Dakota photographers.

SANSOM, JOSEPH B.
Listed at Crystal (Polk, 1894, 1896)
Listed at Minto (Polk, 1904, 1906)

https://www.history.nd.gov/Check List of ND Photographers.pdf

Debora

 

I also think she is younger. Those big feet make me think of that awkward age when some parts of the body seem to grow independently of the rest. So yes, about 14.
As pointed out, the flowers on her head and corsage could point to something festive like a confirmation, especially with the book.

 

Those sort of dress "wing flaps" coming off of her shoulders were in style around the turn of the 19th-20th century. I've never identified exact years they were in style but I know it's very close to 1900.

I came in very late to this discussion and wanted to contribute!

 

And your input is always appreciated, Fig!