NEWS
DavidsonLearns Presents Mystery Memoir, A Historical Detective Story
Mystery Memoir: A Historical Detective Story
Two members of the three-person research team share how they approached this real-life historical puzzle, from translation, interviews and archival outreach to the surprising discoveries along the way.
Time and Location
Feb 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
Davidson Town Hall, 251 South St
A forgotten memoir, written in German and discovered at a Detroit estate sale, sparked a years-long search that stretched across archives in the United States and Europe. With limited clues and no known author, the research team set out to understand the context, meaning and history behind the document — and the life it hinted at.
In this Spotlight Event, two members of the three-person research team share how they approached this real-life historical puzzle, from translation, interviews and archival outreach to the surprising discoveries along the way. If you’re curious about how history gets uncovered, this one’s for you.
Event Details
Date: February 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Location: Davidson Town Hall Auditorium, 251 South Street **
** Please enter the building through the double red doors next to the main entrance on South Street.
About the Speakers
Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau
Anabel Aliaga-Buchenau is Professor of Comparative Literature and German at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Translation. A native of Germany, Anabel holds degrees from Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Germany, as well as a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jules Geaney-Moore
Jules Geaney-Moore serves as Business Services Coordinator for the Department of Languages, Cultures and Translation at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jules earned a M.A. in Liberal Studies from UNC Charlotte and is currently a candidate for a M.A in History at UNC Charlotte.