Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to system and/or methods that pair a data extractor with a data accumulator, wherein these components may be located on any one or more computers in a network system. This distributed peer extract-accumulate approach is advantageous in that it reduces (and sometimes completely eliminates) the need for a “funnel” approach to data archiving, wherein all data is moved or backed up through a central computer or central computer system. In certain example embodiments, recall-accumulate, search, verify, and/or other archive-related activities may be performed in a similar peer-based and/or distributed manner. Certain example embodiments may in addition or in the alternative incorporate techniques for verifying the integrity of data in an archive system, and/or techniques for restoring/importing data from a non-consumable form.