In a message dated 12/8/2006 4:50:29 PM Eastern Standard Time, Davis@dmea.osd.mil writes: Wow! Has Ancestry destroyed the purpose of the message boards for the genealogy community? To freely share data and to make contacts to obtain more detailed data of common interest. Or this for pay service just to be able to get e-mail addresses for those people who have chosen to be anonymous? Why would any genealogist want to be annonymous and not be contacted by anyone if they have posted a query? Is this an oxymoron or am I missing something? You ARE missing the fact that it is still free as always to contact another board poster by replying on the board--and, if that poster wants to communicate with you privately they can do so--just make your settings so that others can see your email address--I have done so. Joan