map of Cathead Island

Please help us identify the meaning of -F,412- on a map of -CATHEAD Island- in the year 1943. We seem to be having trouble finding the meaning of the F,412   if you have any info that would be really cool.  Thank you.

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Oops, you're totally right, i must of double clicked my - -


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gotcha, thanks. We had moved into an old farmhouse about 5yrs ago, owners were cleaning out the old barn, we got curious and checked out the dumpster (yep, we were dumpster diving) anyways we found this hand drawn map, with very specific directions to find the F,412. Said how many yards to the east, then so many feet south, then dig 3ft down under the flat rock. We are pretty sure the island is in South Pacific, and positive its from 1943 (it is dated). The only thing we cant find info on is F,412.  Also found with the map was the owners address book, throughout the book is written F,412. Unfortunately the owner of these items had passed away and theres no living relatives, so were unable to ask any of the family.

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You might need to do a great deal of detective work on this mystery. Seems the meaning of F,412 is moot unless you know where Cathead Island is located. As GD says the name may have changed like many other places  - Kiribati was the Gilbert Islands until 1979, Ghana was the Gold Coast until 1957 and Indonesia was the Netherland East Indies until 1945 - to name a very few. Although searches usually tend to locate a place by either old or new name. It may be a nickname, or if he was in the service - a code name, and not the actual name. Or it may have been written incorrectly in confusion or intentionally to confuse others.

I found a Cathead Point which is 17miles from North Fox Island and South Fox Island in Lake Michigan. There is a Cat Ba Island, which is only 140 sq. km. located in Ha Long Bay, N. Vietnam. And going back to Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, Vol III, p.389, dated 1655, "...the iland called Catta Iland...lying neere to Marble Head" was granted to Governor John Endecott at his own request by the General Court of Massachusetts. (BTW it is now called Children's Island). Any of these could be related - but probably aren't. You don't say what part of the country you are located in, so perhaps one of these might be near you. You don't say why you believe it is in the South Pacific either.

If I were you, I would work with what you have. You do know the name of the man who owned the address book and had the map, right?  If so that is where to begin. Start researching him. Try the local library or historical society, old newspapers, cemetery etc. Maybe there is still someone around town that knew him and could give you some information about him (although I wouldn't mention the map to anyone, just say you are living in his old house and were interested in him). Perhaps you can find out if he served in the military, what branch, maybe what ship and where, which might narrow down where to look next. Some of the listings in the address book may be fellow veterans. You might be able to track one of them down. I know my dad kept info on men he served with. However, you are dealing with a ticking clock, as those that remain are getting up in their 80's and 90's. Try some of the other listings in the address book. Track down whomever you can to get information on the guy and then go from there. You might want to research genealogy sites as well. Perhaps this has to do, not with military service, but where he worked or traveled. Loads of possibilities.

Nothing like having a great treasure map but not knowing where it begins. Good luck. Hope to hear more on this.

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Don't forget the possibility that Cat Head is the english translation of the actual name of the island in another language.



BA

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