Our widespread exposure to the joys of the "1881British Census and National Index" from the LDS Church, seems to have triggered off a rash of requests to "SKSs", to do " quick" Census look-ups for a variety of years, and for uncertain locations! It will help to ease this flow of requests if we all contribute to a better understanding of the reality of the work load we are expecting these "SKSs" to do for us. We ought to be making clear to all our members where Census reports can be inspected, and researched, and perhaps more importantly for which years, and locations Census Indexes are available for inspection and research. Having spent many days in the old Census rooms in Portugal Street in London, I know only too well the hours that often have to be spent locating the films for a particular city street, or country village, before one even gives a thought to the family to be researched. Then one realises the futility of even starting without anything more than a hunch for an address, let alone just a general direction. Census Indexes have changed all that of course - but - they only exist for 1841, and 1851, so far as I can see, for the majority of Counties and Parishes, and then seldom for both. Banffshire almost alone seems to have Indices for 1861. Two essential Ref Books "Scottish Census Indexes" compiled by Peter Ruthven-Murray for the DAofFHSs. 1998, ISBN 1-874722-13-7 "Census Records for Scottish Families at Home and Abroad" by Gordon Johnson, pub by the A&NE FHS, ISBN 0947659 74 9 . The first shows that the local FHS almost always has the Indexes for it's area, after all it's members probably did all the Indexing. The second shows a Directory of the availability of Census Reports, essentially around the local authority network. Hopefully others can add to, or correct this summary. My principal purpose has been to encourage enquirers to think carefully about the workload they may be asking their "SKSs" to undertake on their behalf. Also to think about the grave problems of firing off good well intentioned souls, with only half the story. Good location guides are essential for searching in the Census Reports as such. Not so vital, if Indices happen to be available. Of course, these days, one can ask the GRO or Scottish Origins to do that search for you, but one has to pay!! The GRO for any Census, the SO only for the more recent years. I hope we can generate some constructive feedback. Jim R Eumundi, Qld., Oz.