Q: Upgrade my iPad

Do you have a question ?

yes I have an IPAD first gen and it is clearly unable to handle my needs. is there a recommended way to sell it to someone who can use it, and upgraded to a higher version??

I don't think that there is a recommended way by Apple, and Apple themselves don't do trade-ins or part-exchanges, all they do in some countries (not sure if it's available in all) is recycle them for which you wouldn't get that much for (here in the UK it would be £60 for the top model i.e. a 64 gig wifi+cellular model that works and isn't scratched or engraved)

To get the highest value for it you are probably better off selling it yourself e.g. to family, friend, locally or via a site such as eBay - you may find stores that will accept it as part-exchange (though with it being a first gen iPad it's probably less likely) but you are likely to get a higher value selling it yourself and then using the proceeds towards a new one.

Prior to selling it you should copy any iTunes downloads that aren't already copied over to your computer's iTunes library via File > Devices > Transfer Purchases, take a backup (File > Devices > Back Up) so that you can restore it onto a new device, log out of your account on it (tap on your id in Settings > Store), and remove all content (Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content And Settings). If it's registered to your account then you should also remove it from that : https://supportprofile.apple.com/

excellent advice, thanks. What about the emails that are stored, can they be backed up also?

If you log into the email account(s) on a browser on your provider(s) websites, or if you use one your computer's email program (e.g. Outlook if using a PC, Mail on a Mac etc), then do they not show on there ?

yes, but all are stored on IPAD from way back, many I don't have copies of on PC.  Is there any way to extract and reload on new IPAD?

Emails aren't included in a backup, neither to the cloud or to a computer's iTunes, only the account's details are stored - so any that are only stored locally, not on your account's server, you will need to copy them off yourself e.g. by forwarding them to yourself so that they go into your inbox, copying and pasting their contents into new emails (or into a documents in another app), or (depending upon what their content is and whether it would suffice) just taking screenshots of the iPad's screen (briefly press the home and sleep buttons and then copy those 'photos' off).

In addition to the info above, you may consider a refurbished model from Apple if that would better suite your budget: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad