>In a recent message, another message was referenced like this:
>
>Message ID: nnnnnnn
>
>There was no clue who it was from or to, or anything about what that message said.
>
>ISTR it used to be possible to search on a message or thread number, but I couldn't find any way to get to that message.
>
>Eventually, another member posted a message that created an auto-link, like Message#nnnnnnn
>
>Is that now the only way to get directly to a message or thread?

Al,

Put message ID in the Search/ Message ID textbox on the left (Toolbox).

Anyway, you don't want to read that message.