Expert: Steven Taylor - 9/27/2010

Question
I just learned that (by way of will) that I have 120 shares of commom stock of a company called Blackrock Ventures Inc., the only thing I have been able to find on this company is that it is part of Shell Canada. can you tell me what the stock is worth, what stock exchange it can be found on, what it is called on the exchange.
thank you

Answer
John, you are correct. Blackrock was acquired by Shell Canada in 2006 for $24 cash per share.

If the original owner did not receive the cash for the shares, it would have been turned over to the government for safekeeping until the person (or his or her heirs) claims it. What you need to do is search the missing property office of every State or Province in which the owner lived from the date they originally acquired the shares until the takeover in 2006. You can search many of them online for free at www.missingmoney.com and www.naupa.org (search both, as they contain different info). Search using the person's name EXACTLY as it appears on the Blackrock stock certificate. If you do find that money or any other money that have in their name, the site will explain what you need to do to claim it.