Maple News reports that more than 13,000 people are now identified as sharing the same Canadian ancestor as Beyoncé, according to WikiTree — and the number could be much larger. Beyoncé is the sixth great-granddaughter of Acadian resistance leader Joseph Broussard, also known as Beausoleil, who led about 193 refugees to Louisiana in 1765.
Broussard and his Acadian allies are the forebears of today’s Cajun communities, who settled in Louisiana after being displaced from what is now Nova Scotia. Recent changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act, implemented in December 2025, eliminated the generational cap on transmitting Canadian citizenship by descent. That means anyone who can prove a continuous line of descent from Broussard could, in theory, be a Canadian citizen by descent if they were born before December 15, 2025.
If you want to determine whether you share Beyoncé’s line to Broussard, you have two paths: hire a professional genealogist or conduct your own research by building a documented family tree from your own records and family memory.
Step 1: Choose a single repository for your research. Use a platform that can store each ancestor’s core details and show how they connect to others. Common options include general-purpose tools like spreadsheets or diagram software, and specialized genealogy programs such as Family Tree Maker, MacFamilyTree, or RootsMagic. Ensure you back up your data and consider versioning to avoid data loss.
Step 2: Map your genealogy. Start with what you know—your parents, then your grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on—and record as much as you can for each ancestor. Document parent-child links generation by generation, and save sources for every fact. Don’t leave fields blank; use N/A for irrelevant items and “?” where information is unknown.
A practical example shows how researchers organize core information, sources, and notes for each ancestor, including names, birthdates, locations, and family relationships. Beyond core biographical data, gather supplementary details such as occupations, residences, religious affiliation, and marital history, and attach copies of supporting documents whenever possible.
Step 2 (B): Expand your tree to Broussard’s descendants. Once your current research leaves gaps for the earliest generations, consult major online genealogy platforms to identify potential matches and fill in missing links. Prioritize sources and record every new finding with its provenance. Be mindful of conflicting information and note discrepancies.
As you work backward, you may identify Broussard’s descendants in databases such as Geneanet, WikiTree, Geni, and FamilySearch. Your ultimate outcomes could be: (1) a confirmed Broussard connection and Canadian citizenship by descent; (2) no overlap with Broussard’s line, suggesting no direct relation; or (3) a “wall” where you cannot reach the earliest generations due to missing records.
Even if you don’t connect with Broussard, you may reveal another Canadian line. If any ancestor held Canadian citizenship at the time their child was born, you may have a valid right to Canadian citizenship by descent, as long as you were born before December 15, 2025. Gather official documents—birth, baptismal, and marriage records—from the relevant Canadian provincial vital statistics offices or archives to support your application for proof of citizenship.
For those pursuing proof of citizenship, the application requires documentary evidence of your continuous line of descent from a Canadian ancestor. If Broussard’s line is identified, be prepared to provide certified copies of vital records and other official documents—and note that historical records from Nova Scotia or New Brunswick may be especially relevant for this lineage. Provincial archives in these regions have seen increased demand from Americans seeking supporting documents, which can affect response times.
If your documentation is in order, you can apply for a proof of Canadian citizenship certificate. Once granted, you may apply for a Canadian passport, which currently offers a relatively fast processing time and a money-back guarantee if processing exceeds 30 days.
Dual citizenship with the United States carries specific implications. A Canadian citizenship certificate confirms dual citizenship under Canadian law, affording you the rights to live, work, and study in Canada, vote in Canadian elections, and access health care and social services if residency requirements are met. A Canadian passport provides broader visa-free travel access and, under youth mobility programs, opportunities to live and work in several countries for limited periods. It’s important to note that obtaining Canadian citizenship or a passport does not automatically create new Canadian tax obligations; Canada taxes on residency, not mere citizenship. Those with cross-border financial ties can rely on the U.S.–Canada tax treaty to manage potential double taxation.
About Joseph Broussard: Born in 1702 in Port-Royal, Acadia (the region encompassing parts of today’s Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island), Broussard stood as a central figure in Acadian resistance during the British colonial era. He led efforts to defend Acadian communities and, alongside Mi’kmaq allies, organized operations during the Great Expulsion of 1755. In 1765, he helped relocate nearly 200 Acadian refugees to the Attakapas region of Louisiana. His legacy continues to shape Cajun identity and, for many Americans, a pathway to Canadian citizenship by descent.
Maple News will continue to monitor citizenship trends, archival access, and processing timelines as more descendants pursue proof of Canadian citizenship through ancestral lines.