How would you translate the term "Slumsøster?"

SJonnes

I found 2 sources describing Kristine Samuelsen (1883-1917) as a Slumsøster. The first is her 1910 census record in Halden (Fredrikshald), Østfold, District 19, urban residence 16, where she's listed as a Slumsøster with no permanent place of residence (homeless). The second is her death record on 19 Apr 1917 in Oslo, where she's listed as an unmarried Slumsøster, residing at Orkenøgaten 8 (Vålerenga Parish, p. 174). She was only 33 when she died. Google translates the term as "slum sister" but I wonder if there's a better way of putting this, or does it imply prostitution?

 

 

Forrest Emmett

Slumsøster was a position in the Salvation Army. She would do charity and social work in the "slums."

Gordon Collett

Fascinating information! Here is a short article about this:

https://oslodesk.com/the-salvation-army-frelsesarmeen-an-oft-forgotten-part-of-norwegian-city-life/

 

and here is a long work:

https://bora.uib.no/bora-xmlui/bitstream/handle/1956/8384/119646131.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

SJonnes

Wow very interesting. I saw that her religious affiliation was Salvation Army but didn't expect that this was actually a position with the organization. Thanks Forrest and Gordon!