Foster parents from Walls, Shetlands

Question

My great grandmother, Winifred Hamilton,  was born in Otago, New Zealand.  She was raised by foster parents Walter Henry and Jessie Jamieson, both from the Walls parish in the Shetlands. They arrived in New Zealand in the 1870's.  I know very little of her birth parentage so one rather vague possibility is that somewhere in the annals of time Walter may have communicated to a relation some details concerning Winifred.  Her birth certificate lists a mother as Mary Augustus Hamilton, but no father.

If anyone has any vague ideas, then I'd love to hear from them.

Many thanks - Stephen

Answer 1

The Hamilton clan were prominent in Scotland so Hamilton is a fairly common name. They also held large estates, in Lanarkshire and other locations. If all you have is the name Mary Augustus Hamilton then you have to hope that her name appears in birth or baptismal records somewhere. That middle name Augustus may prove to be a blessing.