Hi Doug,I hope this finds you well.
My Coates tree begins for certain with a James Steele Coates b. 1821 Needham Market, Suffolk - his father was probably John Coates b.1795 Needham Market.
If there are any links with your tree (and David Coates who we have both had contact with on this site) it is probably with this John's brothers or cousins.
I don't seem to be able to find any more but will keep trying - it would be great to find relatives (albeit rather distant) in Australia!
If you can see any possible links please let me know.
Cheers,
Diane