Although I had been somewhat sure of Vilma's birthyear occurring in 1898, further evidence is pointing to the fact that Vilma may, in fact, have been born in a different year. The date of her birth is consistently listed as January 09th, but the year is disputed by many sources:

-1898-
Silent Film Necrology by E. M. Vazzana
Internet Movie Database
They Had Faces Then by John Springer and Jack Hamilton
Silent Film Performers by Roy Liebman

-1901-
The New York Times Biographical Service

-1902-
The Filmgoer's Companion (Fourth & Seventh thru Ninth Editions) by Leslie Halliwell
1930 Los Angeles County, California Census

-1903-
Vilma's Social Security Application
“Vilma Banky – Hungarian Rhapsody” by Charles K. Stumpf from "The World of Yesterday": August, 1979
Twenty Years of Silents, 1908-1928 compiled by J. T. Weaver
Who's Who in Hollywood (1976, 1992) by David Ragan

Her death certificate lists it as unknown.

The mystery grows - on to Vilma's last name...once again, many sources are in conflict! Most of her biographical listings say she was born Vilma Lonchit or Longit. However, her father may have been named Johann Konsics Bánky*. In Hungary, she was known as Bánky Vilma. Another source also says her birthname was Bánky Vilma Baulsey.

[*We now know that this was, in fact, his name, but other sources still erroneously list her birth name many different ways.]

Apparently, Vilma's early life is still a mystery!