The Donaldson family recently gathered to honor their matriarch, Anna (Smalley) Donaldson, at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Washington. Born in Alabama in 1856, Anna, along with her husband Jessee and their eight children, migrated to the Pacific Northwest in the 1890s. The Donaldsons are among the Roslyn Black Pioneers, part of a significant migration of Black families from the South and Midwest who were recruited to break white union coal miners' strikes.

On June 9th, 4th, 5th, and even 6th generation family members from the Seattle/Tacoma area, eastern Washington, and as far as Nevada and California, assembled to unveil a new headstone for Anna. The original marker had sunk into the earth over time, and this event, marking 120 years since Anna’s passing from tuberculosis in 1904, was a powerful moment of reflection, gratitude, and celebration of Washington State’s Black legacy.

The dedication brought together 70 Donaldson descendants, family friends, and special guests, including Mrs. Esther Mumford, a historian, author, and founding member of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State. Also in attendance was Ms. Cynthia Wilson, historian and author of the newly published book, Black Civil War Veterans in Washington State, by The History Press, which devotes its first chapter to the Donaldson patriarch and Civil War veteran, Jessee Donaldson.

For a video of Anna Donaldson’s dedication event and to learn more about this remarkable family history, visit donaldsonodyssey.com.

This segment was initially aired on Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle. See past episodes and segments at whereweconverge.com/back2besa and on the FOX Local app. Head over to bit.ly/watchfoxlocal to learn how to download the free FOX Local app and watch Back2Besa nationwide.