I think they're folders rather than individual emails.

Does the AOL Cheeseware not have an option to export all email messages or the like ?

You haven't said what version of "AOL" you're using.

http://www.grohaz.com/ExportAOLPFC.htm describes exporting messages and getting them into Thunderbird or similar.

http://www.wikihow.com/Switch-from-AOL-to-Gmail shows how to pull the email into Gmail which would act as a cloud based backup.

http://www.overclock.net/t/786964/how-the-hell-do-i-... is somebody in the same creek as you

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

In reply to a post by kr236rk:

The files are PFC Files (.pfc)

It seems MrSaffron has given you info on these.

Many thanks to all - looks like I am in for some fun