14 is connected to the data network 34 such as the internet and thus it should be understood that the interface 48 will be adapted for communication over the data network 34 under another scenario being contemplated herein fig3 a the conversion entity 14 is reachable via the pstn 32 nevertheless as shown in fig3 c the conversion entity 14 will still be connected to the data network 34 although in this case the interface 48 will be adapted for communication over both the pstn 32 and the data network 34 the processing entity 46 is connected to a memory 50 which comprises a plurality of records each record in the memory 50 stores information forwarded from the voice mail system 12 such as voice mail messages and ancillary data associated therewith one such record 52 stores voice mail message 9 a and ancillary data 54 which specifies mailbox 20 thus when the conversion entity 14 is contacted by the voice mail system 12 wishing to transfer voice mail message 9 a and ancillary data 54 the processing entity 46 in the conversion entity 14 ensures that voice mail message 9 a and ancillary data 54 are properly received and placed into record 52 in the memory 50 the processing entity 46 is also connected to a database 38 which maps an u201c originating mailbox u201d field 40 to an u201c associated address u201d field 42 the entries in the database 38 may be populated during a preliminary registration phase for example the conversion entity 14 may be accessible via the internet thus allowing the owner of mailbox 20 to enter his or her mailbox i e mailbox 20 in the u201c originating mailbox u201d field 40 of a given entry as well as a desired.