Old share certificates

[Figure17a]

About 20 years ago I had a short period where I made some small investments in shares. I have a dozen or so certificates from that time but I don't really know which are still of value.

Some of the companies probably don't exist anymore, having been taken over, but that could mean I have shares in the new company, or (more likely?) I received a cheque at the time of the takeover.

For those that do exist, there are multiple certificates, does that mean additional shares have been issued to me or that the new certificates are replacements?

How can I find out what I actually own?

All registers are now electronic.
Your best bet is to contact each of the companies by email

• send your message to the admin HQ for the attention of the Company Secretary

Give them your name and date of birth and address as at the time of investment OR look them up on companies house and see if under the filing history, your shareholding shows here is an example beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00233462/filing-history

You're probably best contacting the share registrars:

www.londonstockexchange.com/traders-and-brokers/private-investors/private-investors/stock-markets/registrars/registrars.htm