Census

Jews were not allowed to settle in Pest until the end of the 18th century - they were only allowed to set foot in the city at times of country-wide market days, four times a year. As they were not allowed to spend the night in the city, lodging and kosher food was provided outside of the walls, but in close proximity to the market. It was here, in what would later be called Terézváros (Theresienstadt, Theresatown) that the core of the Pest Jewish community first appeared. Jews were allowed to build a synagogue in 1795 under the supervision of the rabbi of Óbuda. Although Joseph 2nd (1780-1790) finally allowed Jews to settle in towns, the punitive taxes imposed on Jews remained in effect until the mid-19th century. To collect these taxes Jews had to be counted for. This German language census record written in Hebrew script captures personal data of Jews living it the city per household. The majority lived in Terézváros, however some of the wealthier already settled in the city center (Belváros) and Leopoldstadt (Lipótváros). The population census recorded the profession of the bread-earner of the family and places of birth of the family members (these often were German or Moravian cities), age, legal and financial status. Dependants and service staff was also recorded.