“The Wildbores in America” by John Reid Wilbor is a comprehensive continuation and expansion of the genealogical records of the Wildbore family, first introduced in his 1907 publication. This multi-volume series meticulously documents the descendants of Samuel Wildbore, an early immigrant to America, through successive generations, reaching up to the twelfth generation. Each volume enriches the family’s lineage by incorporating new findings and corrections from earlier editions, alongside exploring the evolution of the family surname from Wilbore to its various present-day forms such as Wilbur and Wilber. The book serves not only as a valuable resource for members of the Wildbore family but also contributes to the broader field of genealogical study in America, providing insights into the familial and migratory patterns that have shaped the country.
The first volume is supplementary to the book printed in 1907 under the same title, “The Wildbores in America.” Aside from the older generations, they added the newlyweds and the newly born to consider and place.
The second volume continues the genealogical record of the Wildbore Family, showing the seventh generation and a part of the eighth generation. All additions affecting the records as published in Volume I are shown in the Addenda section in this book.
The third volume continues the genealogical record of the Wildbore family, completing the eighth generation. Revisions and corrections in previous volumes are shown in the Addenda section.
The fourth volume continues the genealogical record of the Wildbore family, completing the ninth generation. Revisions and corrections in previous volumes are shown in the Addenda section.
The fifth volume continues the genealogical record of the Wildbore family, completing the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth generation. Revisions and corrections in previous volumes are shown in the Addenda section.
The name Wildbore appears in many records in England and is still used by some families in that country.
On the American continent, Samuel, the first emigrant is referred to in various records, public and private, as Wildbore and Wilbore. On the occasion of the signing of the pact or agreement on March 4, 1638, Samuel’s signature appears as “Samuel Wilbore.”
This spelling appears to have been used by Samuel’s sons and to a greater or lesser extent by succeeding generations. Changes have come with the passing years and for reasons impossible to ascertain, until at the present time we have in use Wilbar, Wilber, Wilbor, Wilbore, Willbur, Wilbour and Wilbur. Of these, Wilbur is mostly largely used with Wilber next.
To some extent the spelling is indicative of the early residence of the family using it, but as different spellings are found among brothers and their families, the spelling is not conclusive. Generally speaking the William or Rhode Island branch use Wilbour and Wilbor, altho the other spellings also appear. The Shadrach or Massachusetts branch use Wilbur almost exclusively.
Regardless of the present day spelling all, so far as we have been able to find, are descendants of Samuel Wildbore and of his sons.
Wherever possible through this work, the spelling used by the family is given together with “Wilbor” which we use as a matter of simplification and convenience. It is impossible in many cases to determine with accuracy which spelling was actually used.
Public records are frequently at variance with other public and private records, making this question of spelling still more difficult of satisfactory solution.
Notes About the Book
- No copyright page.
- No table of contents.
- Volume I of 5 volumes.
- Tight margins.
- Damaged pages.
Source
Wilbor, John Reid. The Wildbores in America. Baltimore, MD: G.W. King Printing Co., 1933.