An Adoption Story: Victor’s Lifelong Search for His Birth Mother

Video Description

*S2 EP4 (2024-2025 Series) An Adoption Story:* 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. 00:00 Introduction 02:27 Victor's Earliest Memories 03:57 Victor's Orphanage Information 05:17 Victor's Revisit to his Orphanage in Russia 07:20 The Early Search for his Birth Mother 09:39 Helping Victor Find Answers on his Birth Mother 11:19 Telling Victor The News And Update 12:41 The News on his Birth Mother 15:01 Victor's Reflections Disclosure: This story is not sponsored. The DNA test used here were provided as part of a 2024 sponsored AncestryDNA story I did. I also use Ancestry personally for all my DNA tests and family history research. *My Story*Here on my channel, I share my personal journey as a Russian-New Zealand adoptee, adopted at two from Arkhangelsk, Russia. I also share my series An Adoption Story, which highlights the journeys of adoptees from around the world. Learn about my life as an adoptee, my upbringing in New Zealand, and the significance of embracing my roots, including connections in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpJuiN5puov1ZfwOxsrnD8Si ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpK192O8mJT9j-aQsyGH8J5I ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpLCtFknSa9MhpB5Lq_DWljj *An Adoption Story* Explore incredible stories of adoptees, each with their own unique path. ➡︎ Season Three (2026) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpLXqEndrPjASq4xhRzdhDwF ➡︎ Season Two (2024-2025) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpIVV7Va6nZ-13keTpb-9r8O ➡︎ Season One (2022-2023) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpK6QoPzCMpNRl6NUG6jb8kZ *Subscribe* Don't forget to Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR8uOUAkjb85A1khfPZUUWQ?sub_confirmation=1 *Support My Work* If you’d like to support what I do and help me continue creating An Adoption Story, there are a few ways you can: ➡︎ Join as a YouTube Member by clicking 'Join' on my channel ➡︎ Become a Patron on Patreon for extra perks and behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/c/nzalexgilbert ➡︎ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexgilbert All contributions go directly towards producing An Adoption Story and supporting the community. Perks are available on Patreon and YouTube for those who join, including exclusive behind-the-scenes content, early access to episodes, and your opportunity to help shape the stories for the series. *Connect With Me* ➡︎ Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexgilbert ➡︎ Facebook: https://facebook.com/nzalexgilbert *I'm Adopted* ➡︎ Website: https://imadopted.org/ ➡︎ Facebook: https://facebook.com/imadoptedOrg ➡︎ Instagram: https://instagram.com/imadoptedOrg I’m passionate about connecting with adoptees and sharing stories that matter. Follow along as I reflect on family, identity, and connection.