diff --git a/gossamer_forums.rb b/gossamer_forums.rb
index 4546910..014ce2d 100644
--- a/gossamer_forums.rb
+++ b/gossamer_forums.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # gossamer threads migration-import code
-# v0.30.1
+# v0.31
 
 require 'mysql2'
 require 'open-uri'
@@ -1221,20 +1221,43 @@ class GossamerForumsImporter < ImportScripts::Base
           # Check and set a default title if the original title is nil or empty
           sanitized_title = row['msg_subject']&.strip
           sanitized_title = "<no subject>" if sanitized_title.nil? || sanitized_title.empty?
-    
-          puts "IMPORTING msg.  sanitized: #{sanitized_title}  user_id  #{from_user_id}  to_user_id  #{to_user_id}"
+
+          # Check for an existing private message topic between the same two users with a similar title
+          topic = Topic.joins(:topic_allowed_users, :custom_fields)
+                      .where(archetype: Archetype.private_message)
+                      .where("topic_allowed_users.user_id = ? AND topic_allowed_users.user_id = ?", from_user_id, to_user_id)
+                      .where("title = ? OR title = ?", sanitized_title, "Re: #{sanitized_title}")
+                      .where(topic_custom_fields: { name: 'original_gossamer_msg_id' })
+                      .first
+
+          if topic.nil?
+            puts "IMPORTING new message topic  sanitized: #{sanitized_title}  user_id  #{from_user_id}  to_user_id  #{to_user_id}"
+  
+            # Create a private message topic in Discourse
+            topic = Topic.create!(
+              title: sanitized_title,
+              user_id: from_user_id,
+              archetype: Archetype.private_message,
+              created_at: Time.at(row['msg_time']),
+              updated_at: Time.at(row['msg_time']),
+              last_posted_at: Time.at(row['msg_time']),
+              last_post_user_id: from_user_id
+            )
+            topic.custom_fields['original_gossamer_msg_id'] = row['msg_id']
+            topic.save!
+  
+            # Add recipient user to the private message topic
+            topic.topic_allowed_users.create!(user_id: to_user_id)
+  
+            # Add sender user to the private message topic
+            topic.topic_allowed_users.create!(user_id: from_user_id)
+          else
+            puts "APPENDING to existing message topic  sanitized: #{sanitized_title}  user_id  #{from_user_id}  to_user_id  #{to_user_id}"
+  
+            # Increment the number of replies for the topic
+            topic.increment!(:posts_count)
+          end
   
-          # Create a private message topic in Discourse
-          topic = Topic.create!(
-            title: sanitized_title,
-            user_id: from_user_id,
-            archetype: Archetype.private_message,
-            created_at: Time.at(row['msg_time']),
-            updated_at: Time.at(row['msg_time'])
-          )
-          topic.custom_fields['original_gossamer_msg_id'] = row['msg_id']
-          topic.save!
-    
           # Create the message as a post in the private topic
           post = Post.create!(
             topic_id: topic.id,
@@ -1245,14 +1268,17 @@ class GossamerForumsImporter < ImportScripts::Base
           )
           post.custom_fields['original_gossamer_msg_id'] = row['msg_id']
           post.save!
-    
-          # Add recipient user to the private message topic
-          topic.topic_allowed_users.create!(user_id: to_user_id)
+  
+          # Update the topic's last reply information
+          topic.update!(
+            last_posted_at: post.updated_at,
+            last_post_user_id: post.user_id
+          )
   
           update_highest_processed_personal_id(msg_id)
   
-# N/A. These were never a thing in Slowtwitch...  
-#          handle_post_attachments(row['msg_id'], post, from_user_id)
+          # N/A. These were never a thing in Slowtwitch...
+          # handle_post_attachments(row['msg_id'], post, from_user_id)
         end
       rescue StandardError => e
         puts "Error importing message #{row['msg_id']}: #{e.message}"
@@ -1261,7 +1287,6 @@ class GossamerForumsImporter < ImportScripts::Base
   end
 
 
-
   # Main method to perform the import
   def perform_import
     # Secret trick to disable RateLimiting protection in Discourse