This is another old pun. I owe this version to Steve Poge.

When Leif Ericson returned from his New World voyage, he found that his name had been dropped from the registry of his hometown. He reported the omission to the chief town official who, deeming it a slight to a distinguished citizen, protested strongly to the district census taker.

“I’m terribly sorry”, apologized that officer in great embarrassment. “I must have taken Leif off my census”!