There were no censuses taken before the Bern City census of 1764, and the first Federal Census (of April 1836 thru February 1838) was at best, very incomplete. The Federal Census of 1841 corrected many of the shortcomings of the previous census. In 1850, only people with rights of residence were enumerated, and not the people actually in residence at the time. A bona fide Federal Census was first taken in 1860, and has continued every ten years since. Copies are available at state archives and also at most large city archives and libraries. Pete Mattli Ft. Myers, FL >----------- Subj: [SWITZ] SWISS CENSUS Date: 11/14/1999 4:32:19 PM Eastern Standard Time From: emerson@snowcrest.net (Emerson Schenck) To: SWITZERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Is there anyone who knows what the Swiss policy was on how often they did a census in the 1800's Emerson