DNA Test Helped Orphan Find Birth Family In Russia

[@alexgilbert]

Thank you for watching my show. I appreciate all of you watching these great stories. We filmed these throughout 2019 to 2021! Thank you for watching. I continue to help many more with my work in the adoption community.

[@Shining-Star-]

Followed you here. 💕💖

[@kelamram]

Oh my gosh i remember watching your story meeting your mom and dad ❤

[@deana1111]

You are doing awesome work.

[@SharonMcauley-h1w]

Thank you

[@cindiemoore2530]

Such important work you do❤

[@cindiemoore2530]

Vika’s adoptive mother was so filled with joy for her. Now she can know the love of 2 wonderful women❤

[@klk659]

I'm overwhelmed with tears of joy that her parents are so supportive and that her birth mom never wanted to give her up but being that she was so sick, it was Viktoria's only chance at survival. God blessed her in so many ways. Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful reconnection ❤

[@donnareis6862]

❤happy for the beautiful reunion 😅❤

[@colleenwilliams1452]

I live in the South Island New Zealand not far from Viktoria. I’m so happy you found your mother. My mother was abandoned at the hospital of her birth and we never met our grandmother. I am the image of my grandmother.

[@lyricusx2900]

Have your mom take a DNA ancestry test or take a DNA ancestry test to find your mom's family.

[@simbamarara1]

Her New Zealand parents are my MVP, they gave her love and made it easy for her to reconnect with her past

[@ElaAusDemTal]

I really liked the fact that Viktoria's adoptive parents not only kept her name but her nickname Vika as well! Your name is a big part of who you are

[@rReib_3]

Yes your name is very important. My adopted parents did not keep mine. In the process of going back to my birth name.

[@estelledossantos5661]

@rReib_3 You see, adopted parents are never your parents, your blood parents are...blood is thicker than water..!

[@glee_again2594]

@@ElaAusDemTal especially when a child is old enough to know their name. Also she has a name that we use in English. We adopted a baby from abroad and moved her first name to her middle name. She would be bullied for her given name if not. She may have been named by hospital staff where she was left and not her birth parent (parents). We love the meaning of her name and I think she is happy we kept her first name as part of her name. She is an adult now and seems to like her English name as her name and her name from her original country. Interestingly not all children are glad to get part of their birth countries name. Some want nothing to do with their birth country and even avoid people who are from their birth country. My niece adopted at 4 from China is one who has been that way. Her parents purposely had Chinese friends and exposure to help keep her native tongue and be around something “familiar”. Not sure if she was scared these people would take her back or what. Who knows what goes through a very small persons’ mind. I’ve also seen an adult change from her American name back to her S Korean name legally. Not all adoptees want their past name and some REALLY want it. Therefore adoptive parents only have 50% chance of doing what the child as an adult feels was best.

[@glee_again2594]

@@rReib_3 interesting. Were you adopted from another country? I’m glad you are able to do that and I hope your adopted parents are supportive. If my adopted daughter wanted to do that I would support her. However, it’s not guaranteed she was named by her family. Possibly by the hospital she was left at named her. But maybe for some it doesn’t matter who named them, they want that birth country connection. We did keep our adopted baby’s first name as her middle name. So she has that still. She is happy so far with her name that is part her adoptive family and part from her home country.

[@glee_again2594]

@@estelledossantos5661 what about kids who are neglected/abused by cruel blood relatives? Plenty of victims would rather call someone who cares for them and loves them properly mom and dad and evil monsters of parents. Not all blood relatives are capable of loving and being dedicated as “thicker than blood.” Adoptive parents and birth parents can be treated with equal love and connection. It doesn’t have to be one is “thicker” or “more the parent” than another.

[@carollucey111]

My God, these adoptive parents are absolutely incredible, God Bless them all💖💖🙏🙏🙏

[@m1lkm4m4]

Agree

[@khenglim]

Its so sad to see the traumas that all these children go through. Glad they are able to find some familial connections and closure regarding their roots and at the same time the love and support of their adoptive parents. I wish them well and hope they find the joy and peace within their hearts to move on.

[@emilywiebel3238]

Anya’s story made me so happy and also heartbroken. First off her parents are wonderful. When she spoke about her mom going back the second and third time alone to adopt her and how amazed she was, I feel like they are going to have an even strong bond now. She’s always known they loved her and did everything possible to bring her home, but after her own journey back to Russia really put it into perspective. Also her grandmother, what an amazing woman!! It didn’t matter to her that Anya wasn’t her biological grandchild she loved her and wanted her just as much. When her cousin pulled out the pictures and letter from years ago, gah I bawled. If that didn’t show how much her grandma loved her I don’t know what can. So glad she got to go on the journey and get some of the answers she was looking for and also answers she didn’t know she needed.

[@BellesDreams]

Poor Viktoria , she has had to keep her emotions in check all of her life because she knew she had pieces of herself missing. Now, as pieces are put back together, how to you keep from falling apart with Joy?!❤❤ Thank you Alex for bringing them together ❤AND she looks like mom, 😊so tragic about her sister 💔. May Viktoria and her biological family have many more years and more memories to be made ❤❤

[@whatamisupposedtosay1704]

as a Russian, this was so heartbreaking, though at the same time healing to watch💔 hope everything in lives of this people will be great🙏

[@AlisVolatPropiis]

31:54 even the translator is so moved by the reunion. It is so human to feel complex emotions and empathy!

[@unclefatbloke687]

I don;t know why I keep watching these kind of vids! I always end up crying, and I'm a 57 year old bloke!

[@m1lkm4m4]

Its just the feeling of joy for others are so adicctive

[@carolechenowith900]

I'm 71 and I'm tearing up too.

[@pbsmoothie7281]

33 y/o bloke and same!

[@emilywiebel3238]

Victoria had me crying from the very beginning. I’m so happy for her and her biological mother. To finally have that connection and to know your story has to be magical. Also her parents (adoptive) are incredible. To be so supportive and also being open about her journey her entire life since being with them is also amazing. More adoptive parents should learn from them.

[@cindiaker5778]

Victoria & her mom just brought tears for me....tears of happiness for them. May they have many more years of happiness and love.

[@Stacy-iu6ch]

Daria what a blessing you have received? The change in your spirit after meeting your Auntie was incredible. Take care Beautiful

[@barb24427]

Victoria looks most like her maternal grandfather. 😊Glad she was able to meet everyone!

[@terensteele5617]

Alex, thank you. I do not know my mother or father and respect how well you handle helping other adoptees.

[@elizabethvoigt9712]

When you found out about your mom I loved how the dog sat right behind you.

[@angelaclausing5565]

These types of shows always bring out the waterworks in me... so emotional

[@Mtz2604]

This video moved me so much, I cried a lot. Seeing all this people having some sense of their blood family back is so touching. I'm glad all could find some piece of their blood family. Looking forward for a second video.

[@spunkygmahappy4778]

I love that these folks are being helped to reconnect with their birth families.

[@carollucey111]

Russia looks beautiful, those ladies in the orphanege were so lovely, delighted for Vik, lovely programme, i cant stop crying😢😢😢💖💖xx

[@ankiking]

She looks so much like her grandma. So cute! ❤

[@lisagreenway8410]

I was in floods of tears watching their reunion in Russia with her mom (viktoria), it was so beautiful xx

[@JudithBisson]

1:20:04 no wonder her father had a problem with alcohol,he was suffering from PTSD. No one took care of the minds of soldiers after battle.

[@wildlifeandpetadventures20]

But I find it interesting that her aunt said he didn't drink... ?? Wasn't that the Aunt that would try and help take care of her? She would have had to have known he drank. Unless she thought maybe Daria wouldn't remember and it would be better to say otherwise. To paint a better picture for her.

[@ЙцукенПетрович]

They said he served in Germany (i.e. East Germany). It's unlikely he had seen any combat.

[@Picco2008]

Victoria looks exactly like her Granny 🥰

[@tararasque932]

That grandma is the most adorable ever!

[@lyricusx2900]

I'm so happy for Vika. I was adopted and my joy for Victoria is immense. Vika you don't have to apologize for your tears. They are tears of love. ❤

[@Mathilda5xp]

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing stories, Alex Gilbert. It gives me such a lot of comfort and pleasure, when the adopted children meet their birth parents. Stay blessed.❤🙏❤

[@phanhhoban5696]

Mom and daughter love. Im crying with them

[@kathleenclark291]

Dr. Scott you are such a passionate, decent, loyal man. Watching your dog cuddle on your lap and hearing you speak your truth, says it all! Congratulations, wishing joy, happiness and prosperity to you and your amazing team! ❤❤❤

[@stephanieallangarman5598]

I’m happy and excited for this young lady VIKA. Her forever mother and father definitely love her and support her in locating her birth family. God BLESS all these young people and I’m certain that this just reinforces thei foundation knowing where their biological family is from. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES. 🙏🏽✨💫💐🕊️

[@cindiemoore2530]

Vika is a picture of her grandmother And she lit a flame long extinguished in her Mothers ❤️ I

[@MrDaigoRiki]

Victoria seems a very nice girl, that can be a closure and she starts an another chapter of her life, good for her.

[@1927su]

What a nice reunion! Ya know, people are just people & we all basically want the same things. To live & work in peace & enjoy family & friends . We all really do have more in common than our differences.

[@barbaraceli4782]

Victoria story has to be my favorite. She was so honest and humble, and she really put herself out there for all of us to experience her journey in a deeper way. I appreciate it.😢

[@aloha8934]

I hope Daria finds her dad one day

[@kathleenmartin7498]

I am hoping that too,and it might happen after folks in Russia spread the word that his daughter is liking for him.

[@markr.devereux3385]

beyond amazing this whole show. never get tired of the RUSSIAN countryside and those great women at the orphange❤

[@lisafox2073]

Victoria s mom did the only thing she could at the time so her daughter could receive the medical care she needed,I'm sure that was the hardest thing of her life,but it was a selfless thing to do,God Bless them both ❤

[@Thurstorm]

Guuuuurrrllllll……you’re such a nice and gentle young men! I really appreciate what are you doing for your peers…I love you!

[@GenevieveWaller-pk3xg]

All these beautiful children. Life was difficult back then but its still difficult. I could never think of giving up one of my children but you cannot judge because it is best to give up than starve or kill. I see many parents doing that now. Starving your child or killing your child makes me sick in my stomach.

[@steviemac9055]

Brave, eloquent, lovely women.

[@lovelight4763]

Daria Rottenberk: WOW Another amazi9ng story about adoption. I too am adopted and these stories are not only heart breaking but also fulfilling because it finally fills the void that is in one's life. I feel your pain your love your question of why and the joy as well as the unconditional love. I watch a listen to these kinds of stories because of the Love. Unconditional love is something I am still learning. Love your story!!

[@lindadurand247]

So happy for Viktoria ❤

[@kevinbiggs3987]

This girl is deep. She feels and carries others burdens.

[@dannquan7696]

So happy for Victoria and her mom ❤

[@mattstevens8210]

Thank you for bringing so much happiness to Long lost families and to find the love they Deserve❤

[@yunuenc7487]

Omg I feel so sad for Daria/Valentina I pray she finds her father 🙌🏼

[@lauraIngleswilder74]

Viktorias mother (both) are beautiful people

[@kaoldt97]

Oh my goodness, what an emotional story! My heart just went out to Viktoria and her birth mother. Viktoria's parents seem so kind as well, how wonderful to support Viktoria in her search for answers.

[@injacreatives9680]

Victoria you and your Mum are undeniably mum and daughter, you look so much like each other, your movements and soft way of speaking complete each other. Its such a special connection you have and since you have seen your Mum you glow from inside. I am so happy for your birth Mother. Maybe oneday sbe could come and meet your adoptive parents, Russia is a special place, tbough I think the sun and farm was probably very good for a sick child.

[@angeliquemolgr26]

I am 25 min into this documentary and it is so good! I remember your own journey and when i saw this i had to look, well done Alex! Greetings from Amsterdam.

[@camilleszalma4556]

Victoria has a wonderful support dog. I noticed the dog staying behind her after she got the news about being about to meet her birth mother. Also, I identify with her because I'm also a southpaw.

[@aleksandrakazijas4217]

I’m so happy for them, I couldn’t stop crying.

[@lovelight4763]

Viktoria Rundle...Your story touches my heat! I too am adopted, My story is not even close to the mile and the effort that must have gone into finding your beloved Mom. I am so happy for you and sad at the same time for the loss of your sister you didn't get to meet. Your adopted parents are very lucky to have such a sweet girl to raise. Thank them for taking the chance to make a better life for you. Your birth Mother I feel sorry for having to give you up because of your illness at the time. I'm sure she cried to have to give you up because of her circumstances. Your heart felt love is unexplainable. I can see it in your face. May Hippieness always come your way!

[@janesmith9024]

Wonderful. The adoptive mother who herself had had to move from Trinidad to Barbados as a child has just the right attitude too. Good luck to them all. Alex looks so Russian - in a good way....

[@margaretjacobs4016]

I feel sucked in…this could be 3 episodes easily… thank you for sharing!

[@Iamhome365]

Poor Viktorias mother, for her child to be taken then to lose her other daughter, heartbreaking

[@rachelcagnacci3993]

She is definitely part of that family!

[@Neyobe]

0:00 Victoria Rundle 41:22 Daria Rottenberk 1:24:58 Anya Gibson

[@AngeleAlAahnnAn]

❤❤❤❤❤I feel the love❤❤❤❤ Glad you found your family

[@nanak2025]

Such wonderful stories of strength, survival and love.

[@elizabethmusso5946]

Next time, have a box of tissues. Oh, my goodness. That was beautiful. I could almost feel that hug. Bless these families.

[@donitadurham-mack3118]

That really deeply touched me

[@annamcnarin]

I wonder if, having spoken Russian for her first five years, Viktoria will find it easier to relearn. I want to give Daria & Anya the biggest hugs.

[@carolinacotons]

It seems peculiar to me that the language isn’t remembered! A five-year speaks well and has listened and taken orders for five years and possibly even started learning to write. I am wondering too if it all doesn’t come back quickly.

[@ЙцукенПетрович]

I'd expect that at the very least she doesn't have the same mental blocks in learning Russian as other English speakers, like dealing with cases and the free word order. Russian kids who grew up with English but still retained Russian, typically speak with an accent, so it looks the pronunciation isn't going to be any easier for her.

[@StephanRowlett]

I’ve come upon these stories by accident but I can’t stop watching and crying, smiling and proud of the adopted kids. Hugs to all the adopted parents

[@hollyhock4160]

Touching, very well done!

[@jerenedaley7651]

I think her sister was with her all along pushing her to go find mom knew she was suffering on the inside especially after her first daughter’s death ❤

[@Jsh465]

Every episode is a tear jerker!

[@JoMamaLuvsReptiles]

❤wow. Like a puzzle and you found pieces to start to make it complete.

[@carollucey111]

Amazing adoptive parents too🤗

[@vickischaffer9229]

I am not adopted but found out at about 55 I wasn’t my Dads biological daughter, I found out who my dad was but was acknowledged only privately by him buy my half sister will not accept me. I felt all along I wasn’t part of my original family and couldn’t figure out why and was so sad to find out that who I thought was my Dad figured it out before he died.

[@louisegogel7973]

It must be extremely intense and wonderful for the Russian orphanage ladies to have a child come back years and years later who they helped for the first years… so gratifying and rewarding.

[@rosegeaber7533]

Bless you for helping folks find their kin!❤❤❤❤

[@YvonneMelvin]

1996 born same age as our son. I know her mom struggled to chose between medical bills and saving her daughter. Our son was 3 months premature. I drove 120 miles per day to see him in an incubator for 2 months. Until he weighed 4 pounds. But here in US our family has great medical care. Mom I understand you. You did the right thing. So sorry about the loss of your daughter. RIP

[@beverlystufflebeam5731]

First time watching your channel. Very nice thank you.

[@lyricusx2900]

Daria needs to take a DNA ancestry test to find her mom's and Dad's family.

[@e.maevillalba6820]

This is such a beautiful documentary.

[@JohnLegends-em8fr]

I cant stop watching this show smiling and crying at the same time

[@deoneforpeace]

So Special....THANK YOUUUU....GOD BLESS 🙏 💞 💖

[@kficandothis]

What a lovely story.

[@hilaryporter7841]

What a wonderful video. Thank you.

[@mfb6310]

Poor girl has been thru a lot of stress. So wonderful that she's so much happier now!

[@BryonLape]

My grandfather was adopted as an infant. My dad's oldest brother adopted two children when his wife could not have them. My parents also adopted a girl. Family is family, no matter the actual connection.

[@nanaprn7809]

I love how their dog wants to be pthyart of what's happening. I wish they had paid more attention to him (her). Animals are so sensitive to what is happening.

[@Hrobboro]

My heart breaks for Viktorias mother 💔😪

[@nancynl415]

How wonderful!

[@carolechenowith900]

She's so sweet

[@treatseaweed]

Victoria can adopt her birth mother now. That will be amazing

[@eraera2022]

Very sad when aunts don’t want to take care of their niece but she is really blessed to get a good family. I am am sure her life would be worse if she stayed in Russia

[@anne-marielapointe-sp3mj]

The aunt DID want her, but it was a very difficult and proverty stricken time in Russia at that time, her husband had just died and she had other children to feed already.

[@emilywiebel3238]

What aunt didn’t want to take in their niece?? Not one person in this video was that way. There was an aunt who desperately wanted to take in her niece but she couldn’t bc of how the times were. She wasn’t able to and be able to care for not only her niece but her own children as well.

[@jblovsoccer]

I'm an aunt raising my niece. My sister was murdered

[@LilyGazou]

@@jblovsoccerbless your good heart ❤️

[@lulua.9514]

Why did Daria's aunt say that he didn't drink but he drank all the time according to his daughter?

[@wildlifeandpetadventures20]

Thought the same thing!! I almost wonder if maybe she thought Daria wouldn't remember and wanted to try and paint a nicer picture for her. I was so happy she found someone in her family, though!

[@balbinastudans2514]

De ahora en adelante es lo que cuenta ,tienes dos familias que te aman , miles de niños desearán estar en tus zapatos ❤❤ tu madre de nacimiento es muy bonita COMO TU ❤❤SOS UNA NIÑA muy afortunada

[@MarciaLeeful]

Wonderful stories

[@alexanderwest8858]

Just sent my DNA in, it’s been 16 years for me I don’t think i’ve ever been this emotional

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

I couldn't imagine living somewhere that is cold all year round.I hate it when we have winter time here.

[@AzulRomero-r1i]

I have 2 adopted daughters that must live with having no answers whatsoever, as in their cases, there is just no way to find their birth families. I am glad you did this and that is was possible for you…

[@LilyGazou]

Not even DNA?

[@LisaEichler-Johnson]

Why not via dna? Try dna angels, great organization!

[@annienewton3999]

She looks so much like her Mum !!!

[@antirefo870]

Good work and well done Alex!! All greetings from the Netherlands!

[@Bummer1980]

My biggest fear is my sons wanting to find their bio parents. Our adoption story came out of foster care. I know their bio parents are not good people and were in and out of prison, they may still be in prison. I just hope that I’ve been enough, their sisters and father have been enough for them. I love them beyond measure. There is zero difference between my adopted vs my birth children. I love them all the same. They are all equally mine.

[@ayinkemartins]

Trust me, you have been enough, but it is not about that. It is every human's desire to know their origin and to know who they look like.. even if they are criminals. A time will come when your children will want to know fully where and who they came from. You should embrace that phase with love and understanding. They will love you more in their maturity. That is true love. God Bless you more.

[@LilyGazou]

Don’t worry about it. My friend was adopted and in her thirties found her birth mother and father. The father never wanted to have a relationship with her, her birth mother was an alcoholic so she satisfied her curiosity and then closed the door on the past.

[@Beth-mi2hf]

It's not about you but ur selfish feelings aside

[@wildlifeandpetadventures20]

That's honestly quite sad you would not be supportive. That is a part of them, and for you to make them feel in any way they would be a disappointment to even think of wanting to find them is just wrong. People should not adopt if that is their outlook. My dad was completely devastated because of this kind of mentality from his adoptive mother. I would encourage you to be more open and understanding. 💛

[@lunaandstella825]

Please do not fear it. All people want to know where they come from and their dna history, even if its confronting and not so good. But holding them back from it can only hurt you and them. Be there for them when and if they make that journey, especially when its not a happy one. You were enough, but if you had family you never knew you’d be curious too.

[@Iamhome365]

For Vikroria, its incredibly sad that they will remove a child from its mother and put her in an orphanage just to give the child medical care but wouldn't give the child that medical care in the mothers care!! So incredibly sad. How many other children were ripped away from their parent

[@LisaEichler-Johnson]

This happens in the US every day for multiple families for mental healthcare reasons.