Gillg, sometimes people misinterpret the written word. I think it is a very safe medium. Some people prefer to lighten written correspondence by putting smiley faces in, but I am a 100% of the opinion that this trivialises things, and also different expressions on a cartoon face can be misinterpreted. (Is that a coy wink? Or a sarcastic wink, or a knowing wink or have you just got dust in your eye?)
Perhaps you could follow up by providing two or three links to websites which explain about the delicacy of not including living people on family trees.
It's not quite the same, but two years ago, in advance of a visit to Hartlepool where my ancestors had lived, I wrote to the addresses where eight of my ancestors had lived, explaining that I was writing out of courtesy in case they saw me outside taking photographs, although I was hoping for an invitation inside. I only got one reply from the eight letters, and that was from somebody who would have welcomed me, but unfortunately was not going to be in Hartlepool that weekend.
Finally, I'm not at all worried if somebody adds me to their public family tree. As long as there is no death date it lets me know I'm still alive.
Martin
