I wasn’t expecting a Reddit link to upend my life, but here we are! In January, my sister-in-law texted that she read an interesting Reddit thread and wondered if my partner (Chris) and their family might qualify for Canadian citizenship under a new law. I’d vaguely heard of the “Lost Canadians” bill, but didn’t really know much about it.
Basically, for many decades “Canadian citizenship by descent” has meant that only the first generation born outside Canada could automatically inherit citizenship from a Canadian parent. This first‑generation limit meant that grandchildren and later generations were excluded from citizenship by descent.
This was changed on December 15, 2025. Bill C‑3 removed the first‑generation limit in most situations, making millions of people with Canadian ancestry eligible to reclaim their status.
As Chris and I dug into it, we realized that both our families likely qualified. As we put together an application (a story for another time), I began collecting a significant archive of documents regarding my family’s Canadian history. As of today, I have submitted my application (fingers crossed!).
What began as bureaucratic paperwork slowly became a genuinely fun puzzle. I got hooked on the search itself and I have a new interest in learning about my family’s Canadian lineage.
So…I’ve decided to start this blog, dedicated primarily to tracing my family’s Canadian history. I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned so far, along with new findings as I keep researching. While the blog is meant first and foremost for family and friends, it may also serve as a companion space for a broader academic project I’m developing.