Abstract: A method and system for extracting and retrieving selected information items from a plurality of sources of information items is presented. User entered selection criteria are expanded using known variations of term elements within the selection criteria. Each of the expanded selection criteria terms are used to match information items stored at a plurality of information items sources. Information items that match the inputted, and expanded, selection criteria are then stored at a local site for further evaluation. Furthermore, matching information items are condensed by removing those same information items that were retrieved using different selection criteria.