In federal census records from 1850 through 1880, William Sears consistently listed his place of birth as South Carolina.  There is some confusion about William’s middle name.  He is listed in some records as William Edward or William E.; in others as William Morris or William M. Sears.  Since we have not yet ascertained his correct middle name we will refer to him throughout these pages as William Sears.  The 1880 census shows that William’s father was also born in South Carolina and his mother in North Carolina.  Therefore it is logical that we begin our search for his parents in South Carolina.

    A preliminary search of the 1790 and 1800 census records reveals no Sears (or obvious derivatives such as Sayers).  There were a few heads of household named Saris, Searcy and Suares but these families could be traced in later censuses to South Carolina counties other than Anderson and Oconee and none seemed likely as William’s father.

     The census of 1810 lists one Stephen Sears in Charleston County but he does not reappear in later census years.  A Kinchen Seers is also listed in Pendleton District.  Since present-day Anderson and Oconee counties were part of the old Pendleton District, it is logical to assume that this Kinchen Seers was related in some way to our William, though we do not believe he was William’s father.  Kinchen appears again in 1820 Pendleton and in 1830 Pickens County censuses. 

     Also on the 1830 Anderson County census an Elizabeth Sayrs appears for the first time.  She is listed as head of household, 30 to 39 years of age, with 1 white male age 15 to 19 and 1 white female age 5 to 9.  It is very probable this Elizabeth Sayrs is William’s mother.  It is also likely she was widowed by this time.  The validity of this assumption is strengthened when we find both Elizabeth and William in close proximity on the 1840 Anderson District census, the 1843 South Carolina Head of Household Tax List, and the Eastern Subdivision of Anderson County South Carolina census of 1850.

     It is our hope that subsequent research in both South and North Carolina will prove some relationship between William Sears, Elizabeth Sears and Kinchen Sears and hopefully lead us to William’s father.