The Wildbores in America” lists nearly 100,000 persons who are named Wildbore or variations thereof. After Samuel Wildbore’s immigration to America in 1633, changes came with the passing years for reasons not readily known, until there were as many as fifteen different variations of the spelling of the name, the most common being Wilbore, Wilbor, Wilbour, Wilbur and Wilber. Notwithstanding this difference in the orthography of the name, it is satisfactorily ascertained that in America, they all descended from one family; viz., that of Samuel Wildbore of Boston. It is most certain that all who bear this family name in America have descended from that first family of Boston.

The information for the book was derived from letters soliciting family information from the author, John Reid Wilbor, who compiled the information and published his books in 1907. Unfortunately, everyone whose information was solicited did not respond, which leaves us with a bit of uncertainty in the picture as a whole. Additionally, there are numerous inconsistencies, such as impossible dates (i.e., children being born when mother was under the age of 10).

In 1933 Dr. Benjamin Franklin Wilbor published a revised version of the book with some corrections and additions. Nonetheless, there remained numerous errors and inconsistencies. Regardless of the errors and omissions, it is nonetheless an excellent source for Wilber family researchers.

Source: Wildbores In America; by John Reid Wilbor and Genealogical Record of the Wilbur family by Asa Wilbur