A technique for managing distributed email content uses metadata to identify the location of email maintained on one or more data storage resources. When processing email content for display, the metadata is consulted and a display output is generated that presents a unified email folder view in which the email is represented. Email may be represented in the unified email folder view regardless of whether the email's data storage resource is accessible. Email content that is not currently accessible may be identified as being inaccessible. The email may be identified in the unified email folder view by specifying the data storage resource on which it is stored. The unified email folder view may also include at least one email folder representation that merges email content from more than one data storage resource.