Stock certificates lost
Hi Terry, is there a way to obtain a copy of an original stock certificate? I have the cusip number and company name for the stock. It was probably purchased by my late father in the 60s or 70s and more than likely through Sears when they sold securities. Really! He died in 1985 and the shares passed through various brokers through acquisitions and ended up in North Carolina as abandoned property from etrade.
The Treasure’s office in N.C. was extremely helpful in returning these funds to our family but had limited information about their origin. I’m hoping that the original certificate may have information leading to other unclaimed assets, maybe even a Sears brokerage account. Thank you and I would like to say how much I enjoy your column, especially when times are tough. Your calm and reassuring views of events put things into proper perspective.
Terry Says
Ah thanks for that nice note. And I’m glad you were able to retrieve the value of those shares. But as to actual certificates, those are purely a historical artifact and when the shares were escheated to the state they were likely turned in for the money you were able to reclaim.
My only suggestion is to search for unclaimed property at the state treasurer’s office in every state where he lived or worked. Maybe you’ll get luck again.
And that is a reminder to all my readers to download my free Personal Financial Organizer(click on one of the small boxes in top right corner of my website) to leave a list of all your accounts so none get lost when you pass on.
