When the millennium parties are just a memory, the celebratory fizz has gone flat and we're all sick to death of That Dome, what do we have to look forward to? Well, there's always the April 2001 census. And, for the first time since the series began in 1841, people will be asked about their health.

Down at the Office for National Statistics, they are already beavering away to ensure the forms go out on time - and that we can understand the questions. To which end, a trial run covering 104,000 households was held in parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland last June.

In addition to the question first asked of everyone in 1991 about limiting long-term illnesses, the 1997 guinea pigs were quizzed about their general health, and whether they provided or received unpaid care. There were also new sections on income, employment and unemployment, and ethnic origin.

The ONS believes information about health and long-term illness will 'be valuable for predicting the requirement for health services', while data on carers will 'help local and health authorities plan their services' to support and complement those provided by the voluntary sector. They may have a long wait.

It plans to analyse and release national statistics before getting down to local area figures, and as yet it is unable to put a timetable on when the first findings might be released. But it also promises more customised information than last time round, and perhaps even pay-as-you-go Internet access.

Individual census forms remain confidential for a century. But if you know your ancestors' whereabouts on census days from 1841 to 1891, the Public Record Office can supply a copy for less than pounds20. Not a bad price bearing in mind that your GP will charge you pounds10 to see your own medical records.