I need help!

I have run my present site since 2007 with EE. In all these years, i have setup different types of weblogs, channels, categories, forums etc. etc. etc. Because of all that, database is getting to be total mess. Like DB records of categories, that is giving me the count of 450+ atm. even that i have only 40 categories “alive” 😊

Also, due to old times, some members has ghost data that is mission impossible to me to locate the places anymore, like in subscriptions where lots of those has errors. They might be old comments, or related but I just cant find any into what so ever that could be removed from database and by that, clearing issues with accounts.

Also Forum has ghost data due to deleted user accounts, so search still finds results for already deleted accounts because someone someday has been quoted their posts.

And the list continues…

Now, Im wondering is it possible to “recover” forum data IF i delete my site now, and make a fresh install.

I think my site has so many issues due to different beta addon installations in its history, etc. And im come to a point where I just re-write all content to fresh installation even if the cost of this is to lose all forum data and user accounts. The reason is that im heading to new direction with the site and want all to work and database to be clean as possible.

Its just that if i delete present installation, i will delete community history also (forum posts) and that is a shame if there is no way to bring content back without the worry of messed up user accounts again.

Ideas please. How should I do this - or is the only option just to let history go and start all over again? Thank you.