Marina was born in Staryi Krym, Crimea, and later adopted from an orphanage in Simferopol by her Italian parents. She grew up in Italy, gradually learning more about her roots in Crimea — but it wasn’t until later that she began to connect more deeply with her birth family.We caught up with her as part of our Where Are They Now segments — updates from those who shared their stories in our An Adoption Story series. Since sharing her story, Marina has also started therapy, which has been helping her navigate her relationships with both her parents and birth family.

You can also watch this as a video on YouTube on Alex Gilbert's YouTube Channel along with her original full story.

Simulcast from our An Adoption Story series. Victor was adopted as a young boy and came to Auckland, New Zealand, when he was just four years old. Born in the town of Velikiye Luki in western Russia, his journey began with many unknowns.Now a science teacher and photographer in Christchurch, Victor has built a life full of curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections in New Zealand. Alongside his everyday life, he continues a deeply personal and emotional journey — that lifelong search for answers about his birth mother.This is his story.

Simulcast from our An Adoption Story series. Valentina always knew she was adopted but never knew her history. When motherhood takes her on an unexpected journey into discovering her past. What follows is a remarkable story of heartbreak, forgiveness and an incredible reunion with a long lost sibling. This is her story.

Simulcast from our An Adoption Story series.

Ian was born in Waihi, New Zealand, and adopted as an infant. He didn’t discover his adoption until he was 48 years old, at which point he slowly started to find those connections with his birth mother. With the help of his daughter Yolande, Ian then uncovered his previously unknown Māori heritage. This is his story.

Ekaterina Clark's journey began in Syktyvkar, Russia, where she was adopted at the age of three. Raised in New Zealand, she shares her experiences from childhood to discovering her roots and birth family, connecting her past with her present. This is her story.

Taken from the An Adoption Story Series which you can watch on YouTube via 'Alex Gilbert'.

Simulcast from an Adoption story. Made with the support from our friends at MyHeritage.

Felicita was born in the city of Odesa, Ukraine to then being adopted at the age of 7 months by her Italian parents. She was raised in the small village town of Ascea. A village that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea in Southern Italy. Felicita has always had an interest in her roots and ever since she could remember, she has always known about the first 7 months of her life in Ukraine. She shares her story growing up in Italy, learning more about her roots and those connections with her birth family. This is her story.

Simulcast from an Adoption story. Made with the support from our friends at MyHeritage.

Marina was born in Staryi Krym, Crimea to then being adopted out from an orphanage in Simferopol by her Italian parents. With her life in Italy, she has grown up learning more about her roots within Crimea but it wasn't until later on when she started to connect more with her birth family links. She shares her entire journey from the very beginning. This is her story.

Simulcast from an Adoption story. Made with the support from our friends at MyHeritage.

Iván was adopted at the age of 13 months from Moscow, Russia by his Spanish parents. He was raised on the north coast of Spain, in the city of Santander. He had always known that he had birth family links in Russia but later on when he grew older, he then found out more about having links also in Armenia. With his life growing up in Spain and learning more on his family links, Iván adapted to a new way of life in Chicago. There, he got married to his wife Nicki. Iván also supports those within the adoption community, helping connect with more adoptees in the Spanish speaking community including with I'm Adopted. This is his story.