I've played on the PC from the very beginning. I'm not sure what the first update I played on was. I mostly remember playing the 1.9 update. I vaguely remember the 1.6 update. 

Hmm it would definitely be a pain to have to do everything all over again. But I can't really progress without some of the items. I guess go for it. If anything I guess I could find someone to join my island and help, so rebuilding wouldn't be such a pain.

We also need lava or at least obsidian. Do nether portals work?

When you first start you get cactus but there isn't sand anywhere. You can't buy sand and there is no sand on the island.