Google Books contains a surprising mine of genealogical information, particularly when searching for a relatively uncommon name like “Van Cooten”. I occasionally check Google Books to see what might pop up. For full text books in the references below, search for “Van Cooten” in the “Search in this book” field at the bottom of the right-hand pane.

There are a variety of books containing references to Eugene Van Cooten and his work as a missionary in Nigeria e.g. “Abbeokuta, Or Sunrise Within the Tropics”.

There are numerous books about the trial of John Smith, missionary, and Hendrik Van Cooten’s evidence at his trial e.g. “Report of the Proceedings Against the Late Rev. J. Smith, of Demerara”.

There are references to Di Van Cooten’s books on health in Indonesia e.g. “The Village Woman”.

Harold Van Cooten was the defendant in a legal case regarding tenancy, and is occasionally cited e.g. “The Solicitors’ Journal”.

I show up in a number of references to clinical trials involving quality of life assessment e.g. “Effect of Cancer on Quality of Life” .

Two surprising references I found today were a reference to a Lucius Van Cooten of Petersham as a subscriber to “An Easy Introduction To The Mathematics; In Which The Theory And Practice Are Laid Down And Familiarly Explained” published in 1814. I’m not sure who this is. Also in what would seem to be the 1828 edition of “The Royal kalendar, and court and city register for England, Scotland, Ireland, and the colonies” is a reference to “Assistant Master, J. Van Cooten”. This is possibly John Van Cooten. I need to find a way of accessing the text of this book.