Navigating the Genealogical Business Landscape in Latin America

20 August 2025 3:00–4:30 p.m. EDT
Presenters: André Abla Monteiro Carneiro (Brazil); Adrianne McQuillan (Panama); Virgilio Garza Zambrano (Mexico)
Moderator: Luis Ariel Rivera

This event is free and open to the public.

This panel discussion will feature APG members based in Latin America, who will talk about the day-to-day reality of running a genealogy business in their respective countries of Brazil, Panama, and Mexico. There will also be discussion on the overall genealogy scene in Latin America. The panelists are André Abla (Brazil), Adrianne McQuillan (Panama) and Virgilio Garza Zambrano (Mexico). The discussion will be facilitated by Luis Ariel Rivera of New York. 

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About the Presenters

André Abla Monteiro Carneiro is a professional genealogist with expertise in research across South America, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), serving on its International Affairs Committee, and is also affiliated with the Brazilian Association of History and Genealogy Researchers (ASBRAP) and the Brazilian College of Genealogy (CBG). Since 2024, he has participated in the “Projeto de Ruas” led by the Municipal Historical Archive of São Paulo, which documents the biographies of individuals after whom city streets are named. He collaborates with leading international genealogical companies and assists law firms in the United States and Europe in locating heirs in South America. His work also supports clients pursuing Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish citizenship, as well as those seeking to reconstruct their family histories. He contributed research for two episodes of the American television program Finding Your Roots (PBS).

Adrianne McQuillan's genealogical interests stem from growing up and spending time with three great-grandmothers and a great-grandfather along with all four grandparents, all of whom have tremendous pride in their family histories.  Raised in the US in the school year and Panama in the summers, the vast differences in the environments was always a fascination. From a relatively standard suburban US life, to the jam-packed loud and bustling streets of Panama city, to the relaxing Panamanian countryside sharing the backyard with chickens and cattle and a culture that embraces the afternoon siesta in a hammock. As a grown-up in the genealogical field she’s learned that these differences carry to the types of records available, how to access them, and the nuances even in organizing information available. Adrianne carries on the pride of her ancestors and looks forward to sharing some nuances of Panamanian genealogical research.   


Virgilio Garza Zambrano is a professional genealogist based in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Illinois. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Virgilio has an extensive professional background, with over 33 years of experience in the finance, national, and international trade sectors within Mexico's leading companies in the glass, cement, and professional sports industries. Driven by a deep-rooted passion for genealogy and family history, inspired by his father, Virgilio transitioned to professional genealogy in 2015. Since then, he has contributed to over 300 family research projects, including international collaborations. He is particularly skilled in genealogical research focused on Northeastern Mexico, making him a sought-after expert in this specialized field.


Luis Ariel Rivera, a native of the Bronx, New York, has been a professional genealogist since 2020, but has been researching his family's roots in Puerto Rico since 2004. His expertise lies in Puerto Rican research while also researching in Latin America, the Spanish and French Caribbean, and Western/Southern Europe. Luis earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has also studied with ProGen Study Groups, GenProof Study Groups, and the CDG (Certification Discussion Group) series with Jill Morelli. He currently works as an Advanced Researcher on the International Team at Legacy Tree Genealogists.