James Kilfoy and Mary Harty, were married in Limerick Ireland around 1847 where Mary gave birth to their 3 children, Annie, Patrick & James before arriving in Port Phillip in 1856/7 on the vessel ‘Escort’. Mary was 40 years of age on arrived to the colony while their children were 9, 7 and 5 respectively.
Shipping records show the family surname as Kilfoyle, however Sands & McDougall directory have their surname spelt as Kilfoy. Melbourne Council rate book for 1863 has their surname spelt as Kelfoy.
The Kilfoy family were living at number 69 Abbotsford street West Melbourne, between Spencer and Ireland streets according to the 1872 Sands & McDougal directory in a house built by James himself.
James Kilfoy, a Carpenter by trade became a successful builder in his life, unfortunately James’s wife Mary passed away just 11 years after arrival James was left to manage raising their three children alone.
Significant building works carried out by James Kilfoy are listed below.
The table below can be scrolled left to right if viewed on a mobile device.
| Building ID | Location | Owner | Suburb | Building State | Building Type | Builder | Build Date (YYYY MM DD) | Registration no |
| 76769 | Spencer St near cnr Spencer & Abbotsford | Kilfoy, James | Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Kilfoy, James | 1866 04 30 | 1459 |
| 72694 | Little Collins St – 129 | Kilfoy, James | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Kilfoy, James – Melbourne | 1869 10 30 | 3541 |
| 72731 | Spencer St cnr | Kilfoy, James | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Kilfoy, James | 1871 10 13 | 4589 |
| 72758 | Abbotsford St – opp. Black Swan Hotel | Kilfoy, James | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Kilfoy, James – West Melbourne | 1873 03 6 | 5303 |
| 72794 | Spencer St near cnr Spencer & Abbotsford | Kilfoy, James | West Melbourne | VIC | Houses | Kilfoy, James | 1876 09 26 | 6937 |
Table source: https://www.mileslewis.net/australian-architectural/
Main source: Public Records Office of Victoria, BDM Victoria and the Melbourne edition of the Sands & McDougall directoy.