Identify email files
Scan selected local directories for MBOX, EML, Maildir, Emacs RMAIL Babyl, and complete Apple Mail .emlx messages.
For archivists
Email Collection Toolkit for curation
Functions and file formats for processing an email collection. Read supported files without changing the source files and record files that were skipped or could not be processed. Store the original message data in MBOX files, identify duplicates, and record where each message was found. Search the collection, preview messages and attachments, and report counts by year, sender, and recipient. Verify the archive's SHA-256 hashes or transfer its MBOX files to ePADD. The archive already uses BagIt 1.0 and Mailbag 1.0 as its native storage format.Read the sources
Create the archive
Search and report
Verify and share
What the program does
Email Collection Toolkit reads supported email files into a local archive. It stores the original message data in MBOX files, records the source of each message, and identifies duplicate messages. It builds a local search index for the archive.
The viewer lets library staff search messages and preview messages and attachments. Reports provide message counts by year, sender, and recipient. These reports can provide data for a finding aid.
Email Collection Toolkit uses BagIt 1.0, conforming to Mailbag 1.0, as the native storage format for each email archive, not as a separate export format. The archive contains MBOX files, Mailbag metadata, source records, and SHA-256 hashes. Its MBOX files can be transferred to ePADD for additional appraisal, review, and access work.
The personal and institutional use cases show how this workflow applies to decades of personal exports and to a donor's digital estate.
What is not yet available
Current releases do not connect directly to Gmail or Microsoft 365 accounts. Local PST and OST readers are available in the development checkout; installed helper packaging and format qualification are separate requirements. The program does not import Mailbag packages, transfer files to ePADD automatically, redact messages, or produce a complete finding aid.
The pages below link to project reports and other digital-preservation organizations and projects.
Related pages