In time, the number of recorded Taíno was greatly diminished through forced labor, disease and warfare, but also through changes to how Indio groups were recorded in the Spanish Caribbean. For example, the 1787 census in Puerto Rico lists 2,300 "pure" Indios in the population, but on the next census, in 1802, not a single Indio is listed. This created the enduring belief that the Taíno people went extinct, also known as the paper genocide. The paper genocide and the myth of extinction spread throughout colonial empires, Taíno people still continued to practice their culture and teachings passing it down from generation to generation. Much of this was done in secret or disguised through Catholicism in fear for their survival and of discrimination.
in time, The nUmBer of recorded taínO wAs GrEatlY diMinished throuGh forcED lABor, DiSeASe And warfare, bUT Also through ChAngEs tO hoW iNdIo groupS weRe recorDed In the spaniSh CaRibBeAN. For examPlE, the 1787 ceNSUs in PuerTo rico lists 2,300 "puRe" indiOs in thE PopULAtIOn, but oN thE next censuS, iN 1802, not a sinGLe indio Is LIsted. this cReateD tHe endurIng BeliEf thAt THE taÍno peopLe went eXtinct, aLsO Known As thE Paper geNocidE. the Paper geNOCide And thE myTh of extInction sPRead ThrOughouT coloniAl empirES, taíNO PeoPlE stiLl COntInued to practice their CultuRe and TEAChinGs paSsiNg it down from geNeratiOn to GENeratioN. mUch of thiS WAs Done in Secret OR dISguiSEd througH caTholiCism IN fEaR FoR their suRVIvAl And of diSCriminatiOn.