The ancients always opposed the taking of a census, “numbering the people. It was held unlucky to count cattle or other possessions. [1] Caesar Augustus decreed census in 8 B.C. The Jews had always been greatly prejudiced against any attempt to “number the people”. [2]
Joseph did go to the City of David, Bethlehem, to be registered for the Roman census, because Joseph’s paternal ancestor, being an orphan, was adopted by a direct descendant of David. [3]