Expert: Steven Taylor - 6/11/2010

Question
My father had old shares certificates of Abitibi Copper Mines Ltd dated 1974.  I have since found out that after many name changes and acquisitions that the company still exist under the name Teck Resources Ltd.which are trading on TSX %26 NYSE.  The transfer agent has been contacted but are not willing to forward any information without the authorization of Bouchard %26 CO Ltd.  Bouchard %26 CO Ltd is the registered holder name on the certificates.  Bouchard %26 CO Ltd no longer exist. They were "Canada Permanent Trust Company's agent were my father bought the shares/certificate.  What can I do now?

Answer
Monique, I suggest you contact the Transfer Agent again and see if you can speak to someone else there. The agent should have a record of your father's ownership (assuming he did not sell the shares after one of the acquisitions).  

If that doesn't work, try contacting Teck's shareholder relations department and see if they can intervene with the agent on your behalf. Sometimes the company, as a paying client, can get farther with the agent.

However, since Bouchard was the firm holding the shares in street name, it is possible that the shares would have been turned over to the government for safekeeping when the firm went out of business. I suggest you also begin searching the Provincial and State lost property offices to see if they may have your father's old shares. You can search many of them online for free at www.missingmoney.com and www.naupa.org.