Converting Laptops from XP to ubuntu

[Peter Goggin]

I am still in the process of deciding whether to convert all of my four 
lenovo laptops to run ubuntu.
The software requirements for each are different so to keep things 
simple I am considering migrating one laptop at a time starting with the 
one with no specialised software.
On my X61s I use the following programs:
Internet - Firefox
Email Thunderbird
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
Microsoft Word for document
Microsoft Access for a data base
Karens Replicator for backup.

I know that Firefox and Thunderbird run under Ubuntu and that Libre 
Office offers spreadsheet and wordprocessing.
Does it have the equivalent of Access for a data base.

I have a number of questions .

1. How easy is it to transfer the Email from XP to Ubuntu?
2. Can LibreOffice read Microsoft Word and Excel documents:?
3. Can any Ubuntu database program read Access database files?
4. Do any Ubuntu database programs have forms and report built in like 
Access?

Many years ago I ran a MySql database under RedHat linux and from memory 
I had to write the forms using HTML and PHP.


I would be grateful for any advice and information.


Thankyou

Peter Goggin