Hmmm, I knew that one of William's brothers was down as Simon Pears Sloper on his death registration and probate info, this being another one whose birth registration I could never find. I have just got Simon's exact date of birth from the 1939 Register - 18 May 1872 - and there is a birth registration for a Simon Pears, MMN Stephenson, Apr-Jun 1872 in Ulverston district. Other Pears / Stephenson births registered in Ulverston district: William Apr-Jun 1865, and George Oct-Dec 1874. And George is the other brother whose birth registration I had never found, so these must be them. But there were two sisters who were registered as Sloper in between William and Simon, though in a different district (Whitehaven). Where did the surname Pears come from?
