# Crowley diary faithful page transcription specification

You are transcribing one scanned physical page from a photocopy of a typewritten
transcription of J. S. Crowley's historical diaries. Produce PASS 1 only:
faithful transcription and document structure.

## Authority and scope

1. The attached current-page image is authoritative.
2. Current-page OCR is a fallible hypothesis. Correct OCR by consulting the image.
3. Neighbor context is only for detecting continuity. It must never supply text
   that is not visibly present on the current page.
4. Transcribe each visible source character as faithfully as the image allows.
   Preserve source spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, factual errors,
   incorrect dates, archaic or offensive terminology, and historical place names.
5. Do not improve, modernize, sanitize, silently correct, or complete the source.
6. Do not transcribe scan noise, binder holes, shadows, or page damage as text.
7. If no defensible reading is visible, use an `illegible` node. Never guess merely
   to avoid an uncertainty.

## Semantic structure first

Logical document blocks are the primary structure. Identify ordered headings,
standalone text, diary entries, letters, lists, tables/ledgers, annotations, gap
notices, separators, and non-textual graphical features. A diary entry or letter owns ordered semantic content
parts. Physical source lines are nested inside those blocks or parts only to
preserve diplomatic lineation, hyphenation, and evidence. Do not treat each
physical line as an independent document block.

Use a table only where columns or cell relationships are visibly meaningful. Use
a list for sequential items without a reliable column relationship. Do not infer
numeric values or repair arithmetic.

## Graphical and non-textual source features

A handwritten drawing, doodle, diagram, symbol, or other non-textual feature
that cannot meaningfully be transcribed as text must use a
`graphical_feature` block. Do not invent words for it. Record its medium,
placement, neutral observational description, page-image region when reasonably
identifiable, and related nearby block IDs when the relationship is visible.
Keep both continuation declarations `no`; graphical marks are not textual
cross-page continuations. A label that is itself readable text remains an
annotation block or part, with a related graphical-feature block for the
non-textual strokes. Descriptions must be observational, such as “Small
handwritten mark beneath the diary entry,” never speculative historical
interpretation. If a reliable bounding box cannot be supplied, use `region:
null`; do not guess coordinates.

## Physical source lines

Transcribe every visible physical text line in order. Divide each line into inline
segments only where an intervention or uncertainty requires it. Do not preserve
indentation with runs of spaces; semantic blocks, table cells, and list labels
represent layout.

For `line_end`:

- `block_end`: the logical text represented by this line collection ends here.
- `no_hyphen`: the text continues on another visible source line with no printed
  terminal hyphen; a reading renderer should join with a space.
- `hyphen_word_break`: a printed terminal hyphen exists only because a word wraps;
  omit the hyphen when joining the reading text.
- `hyphen_lexical`: a printed terminal hyphen is intentional and remains when the
  reading text is joined.
- `hyphen_uncertain`: a printed terminal hyphen is visible but its function cannot
  be determined confidently.

Do not put the terminal source hyphen itself inside the preceding text segment
when using one of the three hyphen line-end values.

Use a hyphen line-end value only when a terminal hyphen is visibly printed. Do
not add a line-end hyphen merely because a sentence, list item, or phrase
continues on the next physical line. Preserve internal source hyphens such as
`nice-pleasant` even when they appear unconventional.

## Inline distinctions

- `text`: clearly visible source text.
- `unclear`: a visible but uncertain reading. Give the best reading when possible
  and list genuinely plausible alternatives.
- `illegible`: text is present but no defensible reading can be supplied.
- `addition`: visibly added text, recording whether it is handwritten or
  typewritten and its placement.
- `deletion`: visibly cancelled text. Preserve a reading when still legible; do
  not include it in ordinary reading text. If the cancellation is visible but
  its underlying text is not defensibly readable, keep `type: deletion`, use a
  null reading, no invented alternatives, and `confidence: unreadable`.
- `correction`: an original and replacement are visibly related. Preserve both;
  do not decide that the replacement is historically true.

Confidence vocabulary:

- `high`: plainly legible with no plausible competing reading.
- `medium`: the proposed reading is likely, with a minor visual ambiguity.
- `low`: multiple readings remain plausible.
- `unreadable`: no defensible reading can be supplied.

Never invent decimal confidence scores.

## Dates and editorial interpretation

`date_source` is a literal faithful transcription of the visible heading.
`date_normalized` is separate editorial metadata:

- `normalized`: the visible date is unambiguous and only mechanical expansion or
  ISO formatting is needed.
- `inferred`: the normalized date intentionally differs from the visible source;
  supply a concise reason and qualitative confidence.
- `ambiguous`: competing normalized dates remain plausible; leave the normalized
  value null.
- `invalid`: the visible date is invalid and no responsible inference is made;
  leave the normalized value null.
- `not_normalized`: no normalization was attempted; all normalization metadata is
  null.

For both `normalized` and `inferred`, `date_normalized`,
`normalization_confidence`, and a non-empty `normalization_reason` are mandatory.
For `inferred`, the reason must state the visible conflict. If a year visibly
printed in an image conflicts with a historically plausible chronology, preserve
the printed year in `date_source` and the physical line. Put any chronology-based
alternative only in `date_normalized` with status `inferred`. Never copy an
inferred year back into faithful text.

Never alter the faithful line text to match the normalized date. Use editorial
notes for visible source mistakes, continuity questions, or consequential layout
ambiguity. Do not perform person/place identity resolution or any other PASS 2
historical interpretation.

For a `gap_notice`, represent each available range endpoint with the same complete
date object used by diary entries: `start_date` and `end_date`. Either endpoint may
be null only when it is genuinely unavailable. If the source gives `Nov. 28.` and
the year can responsibly be supplied from the range context, preserve
`date_source: "Nov. 28."`, put the year-bearing ISO value only in
`date_normalized`, use `normalization_status: "inferred"`, and explain the year
inference. Never label a context-supplied year as merely `normalized`.

## PoC regression rules and examples

- **Literal source date:** Never substitute a historically plausible date for
  the characters visible in a heading. Faithful line text and `date_source` must
  agree with the image. Any responsible alternative belongs only in separate
  `inferred` normalization metadata.
- **Intentional internal hyphen:** Preserve a visible form such as
  `nice-pleasant` exactly. It is not a line-break artifact and must not become
  `nice pleasant` or `nicepleasant`.
- **Incomplete-looking material without survival continuity:** A sentence or
  letter that looks incomplete does not automatically continue. If the next
  surviving page does not carry it forward, do not assert `to_next: "yes"` or
  duplicate an imagined continuation. Use `uncertain` only when the boundary
  evidence itself is genuinely unresolved and explain it in an editorial note.
- **Low-confidence handwriting:** When handwriting plausibly reads `Luebo` or
  `Lukbo`, use an `unclear` segment with low confidence and both alternatives (or
  a cautious best reading plus the competing alternative). Do not promote one to
  high-confidence text. If neither is defensible, use `illegible`.
- **Cross-page cancellation is not logical continuation:** A deletion stroke or
  cancellation region may continue onto the next page even when the underlying
  dated diary entry ends on the current page. Encode the deleted text within the
  closed entry and leave the entry's `to_next` as `no`; describe the continuing
  cancellation region in an editorial note rather than linking unrelated entries.
- **Small visible marks:** Preserve ditto marks, fractions such as `1/2` or `¼`,
  superscripts, punctuation, inserted characters, abbreviated notation, ticks,
  dashes, unusual ledger marks, and other meaningful small marks. Do not expand
  ditto marks, decimalize fractions, or silently omit marks merely because OCR
  missed them.

## Page boundaries and continuity

Set page-level boundary flags from visible evidence and limited neighbor context.
Each logical block separately declares whether it continues from the previous
page or to the next page. Independent page generation cannot know the future
block ID, so `continuation.previous` and `continuation.next` must always be null.
The deterministic reconciliation step will create reciprocal links only after
both adjacent pages have been processed. Never copy neighbor text onto this page.

## Mechanical output rules

- Return one JSON object matching the supplied schema and nothing else.
- Use the current page ID in every ID: blocks `pNNN-b001`, `pNNN-b002`, and so on;
  nested parts `pNNN-b001-p001`; notes `pNNN-n001`.
- Orders and source line numbers begin at 1 and are contiguous in visual order.
- For all block and part evidence objects, output exactly:
  `{"status":"not_attempted","method":null,"ocr_word_ids":[],"bbox":null,"matched_tokens":0,"total_tokens":0}`.
- Set editorial-note responsibility to `model`.
- A genuinely blank page has `page_role: "blank"`, no blocks, both boundary flags
  `no`, and no invented separator text.

## Run-specific evidence

CURRENT SOURCE PAGE: page-290

The attached image is the sole authority for text physically present on this page.

<current_page_ocr status="non_authoritative_hypothesis">
Tuesday Oct. 24 - 1899

Teday I went te Kinshasa. Sephie was in bed when I left
I went te Dutch house & found Mr. Gresheff weuld return
today frem Eurepe I teek ever fer him a nice little
center piece fer his dining table which Sephie had made.
I ate diner at Gerden's. Started te come home at once
as seen as I had eaten but it was se het 1 pest-poned it
fer a little & went te the Dutch House again. Mr. Poole
asked if I had any eggs, se I ceme home at once & found
Sephie in the midst ef scheel I teld her that Mr. G.
would be in & his did net have any little dainties
fer him se she made some doughntts & I sent over + doz
eges. I hepe he will get in o.k. & have a geed supper —
train was late & he ne doubt will be tired - geed-night -
I will ge ever in the a.m. & see hin.

Leepeldville Wednesday Oct. 25 ~ 1899

I went ever early this am. to Kinshasa, saw Mr. Gresheff
Mr. Cooper & Mr. Inkles. Mr. Bissell, directer of ch. de
fer, offered me a ride ever on train but I had net been
te Gerden's se I could net go with him. Hewever I went
ever a shert time afterwards I saw Mr. Bissell again at
Leepeldville & had a little business chat with him. In
peme I wrete letters kc.

Thursday Oct. 26 ~ 99

I had the beys plant seme corn teday get weed &c. Nething
ef interest.

Friday Oct. 27 ~ 99

Had the beys get leng sticks fer braces fer the verandeh
ef heuse. I shall have to make some repairs. Tenight
about dark the Hainout came in & temorrew a.m. we will
hear frem up river probably. I get a nice shield teday.

Saturday Oct. 28 = 99

This am. early I had a letter from Mr. Joseph Clark of
Ikeke, aleo from Mr. Mergan ef Benginde alse from Farris
ef Belingi all well - Mergan will be dewn en Peace to
take the place of Mr. Weellings. This pom. we had an
Arab chief Abi bY Abit SP em & a sweedish Captain up te
tease Had a very pleasant time. Abibu were the native
Arab dress, sandals & all = While they were here a
Kassai boat came in & I went down te the beach with
them & saw the Captain and got mail frem Luebe - all
well ~ but had been having fever ~ greatly distressed
</current_page_ocr>

<previous_page_context kind="validated_structured_tail" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
t. 20 - 99
Sophie went to Kinshasa in hammock - I went to Ndele on
train took my bike - saw the new bot of CCC Mr. Loyd
is Chief builder - I then came to Gordons & had dinner.
Afterwards I went to Dutch House, about 4 o'clock S.S..
Reed came in (A.B.M.U.) & Gordon & I went to the custom
house to meet it, Mr. Banks master. Mrs. Crowley & I
then came down to Leo. with him. He will stay with us
until Monday when he will leave for Hout Congo. Mr.
Black has decided to go up with him

Leopoldville Saturday Oct. 21 - 99
This a.m. I got out loads for A.B.M.U. & C.B.M. & had
them put on the beach I made out a list &c & sent to
the Custom Officer & had the Extait du Permis signed
a very busy day - packages large & steamer small - Diffi-
cult to load.

Sunday Oct. 22 - 99
Service this a.m. was good - large attendance. Nkaku
Interpreted what I preached to them. Mrs. Crowley's
service in the p.m. was very largely attended. My
service in English was nothing. Prayers for & with the
boys & then to bed.

Monday Oct. 23 - 99
Mr. Banks called me early & I had to add a few more loads
to the list - About 9 o'clock the steamer left - we sent
a piece of ham & some bread & cakes with Mr. Banks
Mr. Black gone with him as a passenger. He is strictly
a vegetarian - I don't know how he will get on. Sophie
not well so I could not go over to Kinshasa on boat. I
nearly always go over when a boat leaves. In that way
I keep up with what goes on all around & it saves me a
trip on my wheel or on train one way.
</previous_page_context>

<next_page_context kind="raw_ocr_head" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
about the idea of Mr. Verner coming eut again. good-
night.
Sunday Oct. 29 - 99
Geod wervice in Cenge this a.m. This pom. it rained so
we had no Eng. service - was to have a big ceng. Sephie
had her service all the same. She is new writing to

} Amica Baker. all well. I went te Beach ~ French Gev.
& ethers were over teday Inspecteur going te Bone

Lae. Oct. 30 Men. to Nev. 28 - Inclusive -

Went te train saw M. Costermans on his way to Bema -
premised me 50 charges en Ville de Bruxelles On Ath of
Nev. Mr. Mergan arrived - came on steamer with Mr.
Grenfell - Mr. Grenfell & Gerden came ever on Menday
Nev. 6 = On Wednesday Nev. & - the Peace started for B.O.
Mr. & Mrs. Gorden left Mrs. Grenfell stayed at Kinshasa-
Friday Nev. 10 Geod-will came in with Mr. & Mrs. Rogers
en board & Mr. & Mrs. Hewell. Steamer stayed until
Wednesday & went eff. Mrs. Frenfell with a let of her
girls came ever en Monday Nev. Nov. 13 ~ & stayed all
night & mest ef Tuesday ~ I have made several trips ever
te Kinshasa Mrs. Regers very ill. Geed Will left &
Mre. Grenfell stayed again at Kinshasa. Nev. 12 - Mr.
Gerdens baby died at Tchimberi - en steamer ~ teek it

te Belebe for Interrment. On Tuesday Nev. 21 ~ S.5.
Geed Will came again te Kinshasa. Mr. Grenfell Master &
Mr. Gerden came down. On Wednesday steamer came over &
all had dinner with uve had a nice time. Friday Mr.
Grenfell's boy had an eperatien performed en hie hand -
a tumer cut eut - by state Dr. Vaidos. He will stay in
ene of my houses unti
</next_page_context>

Return only the JSON object required by the supplied output schema.
