Madam, – Patrick M Geoghegan attributes the information contained in his interesting article, (“Irish Lives”, Weekend Review, December 19th), on Nina Edith Coote, to the RIA Dictionary of Irish Biography, stating: “nothing is known of her family background”.
This appears to be incorrect. Burke’s Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage devotes about six double-columned pages to the Coote family.
Nina Edith Coote is included as the only child, apparently, of Orlando Robert Coote, JP, Co Roscommon, who was born on March 14th, 1855, third son of Rev Sir Algernon Coote, 11th Baronet, of Ballyfin, Queen’s Co (now Co Laois). On August 24th, 1882, her father had married Edith Mary, daughter of Adolphus William Hume, of Ferndale, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Nina Edith was born on September 23rd, 1883, rather than 1884, as your article suggests.
Her mother and father died, respectively, on January 17th, 1920, and March 22nd, 1927.
The Coote family, who were originally of Norfolk and Devon, have had long associations with various parts of Ireland, besides, as mentioned above, Roscommon and Laois.
It is from that family, for instance, that Cootehill, Co Cavan, derives its name. – Yours, etc,