Donuel, New York State will have to have kepot a record of the sale. I would suggest not allowing yourself to get too tied up in knots about this. the State stands to gain MORE from the taxes you would pay on any valuable stock than they do by perhaps selling them for less than they are worth. What you need is a good PROBATE attorney and not some random laywer. Your mother's family attorney should have records of her assets and even if he/she didn't, a full invenbtory would have been made if she died intestate. Please see a probate attorney ASAP and discuss it with them.

How is it your mom came to be involved in a such an early stock sale? Did she or your father know insiders at Apple? If so, they might be able to furnish you with records of the sale of the stock. Paperwork exists elsewhere. Stock cannot go poof. Trust me. Either you will find out your original beliefs are true and get to the bottom of it or you will discover you were sadly mistaken. The sticks cannot be sold for pennies. I'll be praying for you.