William J. Sears was born in 1866 at Clay Cross, Derbyshire, the son of William (a shoe manufacturer and later victualler) and his wife, Hannah (d. 1870).  In 1889, Sears registered a silver mark (‘W.J.S’) from Fitzalan Square and began an electro-plate business with £50 capital.   He continued for five years, took a two-year break, and then restarted with £20 capital in Arundel Street (moving after a year to Eldon Street).  Sears apparently spent his early years in Clay Cross or travelling (he was at the Hare & Hounds, Nursery Street, when the Census was taken in 1891).  He became bankrupt in 1904 with debts of £491 (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 2 November 1904).  He re-established the business at 88 (back of) Trafalgar Street.  The firm, which relied upon orders from hotels and boarding houses, was at Alpha Works, Trafalgar Street, in 1925.  It apparently ceased trading in about 1930.  In 1939, Sears was a silversmith, who lived at Sandford Road Grove, Nether Edge (Register of England & Wales, 1939).  Sears’ death date has not been traced.