Sometimes we feel the urge to find out about our roots and who our ancestors were. Today, with the technology and internet, this urge can become a happy reality.

Such was the case of the Maduro family, who approximately seven years ago started their search for their roots on the internet.
Two years later, they celebrated the first family reunion in Curacao, the first location in the New World where the Maduros arrived. This family is from the Iberic Penninsula and later, because of the inquisition, its members emigrated to Holland, where they lived almost 100 years.

At this first meeting, Rene Van Wijngaarden, descendent of the Delvalle family attended. After this meeting, he felt motivated and started the investigation of his own roots, becoming the genealogist of that family.

The genealogist of the Maduro family is Sita Likuski, related to the Fidanque and Maduro families.

The principal objective of this search, was to find unknown relatives, strengthen family bonds and preserve family customs and culture for present and future generations.

The second family meeting took place in Miami, where the Delvalles participated and the third took place in Holland where again, both families participated.

The fourth meeting has taken place in Panama from the 15th to the 18th of this month of February and more than 75 persons came from countries such as: Curacao, Aruba, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, United States, Canada, Holland and Israel, in addition to the local participants.

The participants took a trip to Coronado and a complete tour of the city of Panama. Also, the mayor, Juan Carlos Navarro gave certificates of “Distinguished guests” to the genealogists of both families.

The Maduros and Delvalles enjoyed a trip to Colon, returning on the train. They visited the two Jewish cemeteries; and participated in a religious service and lunch, in which historian and philosopher Dr. Alberto Osorio gave an interesting talk.

This reunion was organized by a committee formed by, Gay Fidanque, Patricia Maduro, Gloria Maduro, Ann Shirley Maduro de Hernandez, Emanuel Lyons, Raul Delvalle, Ana Raquel Delvalle de Eisenmann, David Eisenmann, andchaired by Jaime Maduro.
More than 200 people, Maduros and Delvalles, as well as local family participants got together at the Farewell Dinner where they toasted and enjoyed this memorable encounter.