Checking Value of Old Share Certificates

Axel

Hi,

I had a period about 8-12 years ago where I was addicted to buying and selling shares on a regular basis. I eventually settled down, sat on what I had, and stopped tracking shares and buying the Investor's Chronical and FT every week.

Now during a new year clean out and valuation of current assets I have come accross several share certificates which are not listed on the market. The companies have been either been taken over and changed their name or gone into liquidation and the shares are worthless, or perhaps there is money lying for me to claim. Some are fine such as T&S Stores which was gobbled up by Tesco and I now have a blue chip Tesco certificate and regular dividends. I obviously picked up the paper work on this one and sent in my T&S Stores certificate and got my Tesco shares in return.

Is there a web site or somewhere I can track the history of a company and find out what they are called now or if they have gone into liquidation and find out whether or not these old certificates have any value or are they worthless? I know I can probably write to Lloyds Registrars with a copy of the certificate, but is there a quicker way to check online?

A few examples:

John I Jacobs
London International
Microvitec
Fidelity Japanese Values Warrants
Hanson Warrants

Any advice would be appreciated.

Axel