  We report the results of near infrared observations of 19 soft X-ray selected
AGN. The goal of the observations was to search for strong, narrow
Paschen-alpha or Brackett-gamma emission lines, as a sign of nuclear
starbursts. We found Pa-alpha emission in the spectra of 11 sources and
Br-gamma in at least five. Strong NIR emission has been found in two sources,
CBS 126 and Mkn 766, both objects with strong [OIII]5007 emission, weak FeII
emission and wavelength dependent degree of polarization in the optical.
Classical Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies do not show exceptionally strong NIR
emission lines. We present the results of our study and discuss how our
findings fit into an evolutionary scheme of AGN.
