If you used an imap mail account to access mail on old hosting server, then you were seeing a remote view of server. All emails are stored on the server. The old server settings were pointing to a specific Inbox and showing you what was in that Inbox (and any other imap subscribed folder). Those folders were synchronised with server and only showed what was held in those folders on the server. When you change server settings to point to a completely different server and new Inbox, then you will see only what is in that new Inbox. (and any other subscribed folder) You would have needed to have synchronised folders for offline use to download full copies of all emails held on server. Then in offline mode, to prevent any further synchronising whilst copying emails, you would need create new folders in 'Local Folders' mail account, then get a copy of all emails into 'Local Folders' mail account. This would get copies of emails out of the imap mail account folders and stored on your computer separately from the server. Then when you change server settings to point o a new blank empty server, you would still have all old emails on your computer. Try to swap back to old server settings and see if you are still allowed access to download those emails. Please note the old hosting company may have already deleted everything if you do not pay for services any more. Another thing to check: Access profile folder mail account and see if there are any folders with *.mozmsg extension. Make hidden files and folders visible: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders In Thunderbird * Help > TRoubleshooting Information * click on 'Open Folder' button a new window opens showing contents of profile name folder. * Exit Thunderbird now. * click on 'ImapMail' folder * click on imap mail account name '''Q: '''Can you see any folders with .mozmsg extension? If yes. Create a folder on desktop called eg: 'TB MOZMSG' put copies of any .mozmsg folder you find in that 'TB MOZMSG' folder on desktop. Check in any .sbd folder because they may be in there as well. Then access the 'TB MOZMSG' folder. Inside folders you will see files with .wdseml extension. Change all of those '''.wdseml''' extensions to say''' .eml''' Then install addon extension called 'ImportExportTools' https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/ You can use this to import *.eml files into any 'Local Folders' mail account folder.

Thanks Toad Hall, much appreciated!

Let me know if you were able to locate emails.