I have read some of these responses and had to reply. I too have experienced kindness from people I have met over the internet and then in person. I had corresponded with several individuals over the net and then on trips to Ireland had a chance to grab a cup of coffee or a drink at a local pub with them. Wonderful experience. A great example is a young organization formed here in Troy, NY in September 2003. On a roots web list, Irish in NY, a list member posted that she would be in Troy and would anyone like to get together for dinner. She had done this for several years in a row and got to know some Trojans (as people in Troy are known). Well in September 2003 ten members of the list got together for dinner. We immediately bonded in friendship and common interest, Irish Genealogy, and in particular Troy NY ancestors. That evening we decided to form a group now known as The Troy Irish Genealogy Society (TIGS), the result of our friendship and work can be seen at www.rootsweb.com/~nytigs. We were for the most part strangers who met on the internet and now continue to meet.....with even more members now. Kristin Cooney-Ayotte