Retrieving content from the _catalogs directory of a SharePoint site

Option 2 (CQWP) is the way to go, but it will take a little bit of customizing.

After you point the CQWP at your list, you need to change the "Library Type" to be "Wiki Page Library" or your data won't show up properly. It defaults to "Pages Library" which doesn't work for Wiki's.

As far as adding your custom field, you need to edit the CAML code for the web part and edit the field data. Here is a tutorial page with a section on how to do that (the section title is "Modify the CQWP to Include Additional Data"): www.heathersolomon.com/blog/articles/CustomItemStyle.aspx

Also, here is the technical details from MSDN on customizing the CQWP: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa981241.aspx

You don't mention whether this is a single server SharePoint installation or whether the SQL Server lives on another machine.

The reason why this is important is because you can save a lot of time by simply building up a new server, installing SharePoint to the same patch level as your original server, and connecting the new one to your existing server farm. Then run SharePoint Configuration Wizard on the old server to disconnect it from the existing SharePoint config, and finally amend your DNS entries.

If you are able to do this it will save a lot of pain!