Our Timeline

June 1st, 2022 is the ten year anniversary of Next Generation Guatemala's beginning. See how far we have come and a list of our past events!

Why are you interested in finding your biological family?

Answering the 'why' in this question can be a difficult but important first step. Are you looking to connect with family or get medical history? Whatever your reason, its important to understand your own expectations.
In the event you cannot locate family or they do not wish to meet you, how will you react?

What support system do you have throughout this process? Running through different scenarios with a person your trust is a great step to opening your mind to new possible scenarios.
What information do you already have?

Some helpful and common documents are: Guatemalan birth certificate/Passport Legal papers related to adoption that include name of biological mother Name of adoption agency or orphanage RENAP (Guatemalan ID agency)
Can you contact those involved in your adoption (lawyer, adoption agency, foster parents, orphanage etc.)?

Will they be able/willing to provide information about the biological family in question? Time passes in between a child's adoption and when they may begin to ask questions. Some of the people involved may have retired, passed away or moved.
What other information are my adoptive parents able to provide regarding my biological mother’s circumstances?

Previous address Photos Names/ aliases Possible siblings
Have you taken any ancestry DNA tests?

In the event you found any close relatives, are they able to provide information about your biological family? 23 & Me, ancestory.com and many other DNA sites have grown in popularity. Due to this, adoptees are beginning to connect with distant relatives such as cousins all over the world. Understanding how you are related can be an important key in your search.
Will it cost a significant amount of money to get necessary information on your biological mother?

There is no short answer. Yes, it can be a big expense for some families. However, to begin your search there are number of free or low cost stepping stone options to find the best path moving forward before any plane ticket is purchased.
To date, how invested have you been in learning Spanish and Guatemalan culture?

To become connected to Guatemalan culture can happen, or not happen, at any age. However you choose to invest is up to you, and there is no wrong answer.