it depends on how they were deleted and when. So perhaps you could elucidate.

i deleted them in the last couple of months and did it from inside my email

Are you talking about a POP or IMAP mail account ?

When you delete emails do they normally go to the accounts 'Trash' folder (which might be called 'Deleted' or 'Bin' etc)?

What 'delete' settings do you have set up in the Account Settings > Server Settings for that account? For example: If pop: Is this selected: 'Leave messages on server' Is this selected 'For at most x days' ? Is this selected 'Until I delete them' ?

Under 'Message Storage', is 'Empty Deleted folder on Exit' selected or not ?

If imap: When I delete a message: what option is selected ? Under 'Message Storage', is 'Empty Deleted folder on Exit' selected or not ?

What server does the account use? gmail, yahoo, comcast, BT etc ?

Have you in recent months compacted your folders in that account or not? If no, then do not compact anything whilst determining the situation.

Do you have a backup of the profile folder?