If we had a HISTORY section I would put this in there...

Oh, I get it. I was commenting on the reason for censuses in those times, not on the particular one.

Correct! Well done

I suspect that jeni is referring to the census described in St Luke's Gospel. Among others she commented on this on the thread (Religion and Spirituality/The Pope's Book) which is also where jO5 introduced the Egyptian census discussed here. Phew.

jeni please explain? Am I being dim?

jeni ??

That one is not on record! It happened in a different year.

'All the world should be taxed.' Oh yes.

Censuses have proved very valuble so far - why stop now? I filled mine in on paper to keep, and online for them. Stored it with my family history stuff.

I suspect it was just a head count - and a demand for tax!

Have you heard that the government is thinking of ending the decennial census as with all the data on computers they do not think it necessary. An obvious loss for family historians, but there arguement is, quite rightly, that they do not take a census just so our great grandchildren can discover our home address etc 100 years hence. But considering each census there is always some surprise data I would still consider it to contain a lot of information that wasnt otherwise available.

Sorry jO5 - I should have acknowledged that I picked this up from you!