# 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, and separators. 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.

## 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.
- `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-041

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

<current_page_ocr status="non_authoritative_hypothesis">
Boma

Friday, Jan. 18* 1897

A late rise. Somewhat drowsy after the New Years watch.
Had a short walk with Wescott. Bot a good sun umbrella.
Came back to the ship and remained there until 3 p.m.
when I wended my way to Mr. Stanley's where after a
little advice as to Mr. 8's treatment Miss Wilmot and I
had a very nice walk and met the funeral procession of a
priest who had died the day before. A crowd of boys -
about 100 or more all repeating "Pater Noster” & “Ava
Marie" as they went to the grave. After repeating the
above several times by the presiding priest, and when
the coffin was let down into the grave, one of the
soldiers, native, threw a shovel of earth on the coffin
and all the men then took turns in touching the shovel
when the soldiers threw in the earth. I then saw Miss
We back to the mission and returned to the ship. Armstrong
stayed all night with Bro. Stanly and treated his fever.
After prayers I tried to sleep but moskitos were
numerous and somewhat disturbed my slumber.

Sat. Jan 2%¢ 1897
Not feeling well, slept rather late, but went thro the
day very well. Wescott & I had a very nice walk around
some fine promenades and thro some gardens up by the
Gatholic church the priest house the Catholic mission
and the Governor's house and back again to the ship.
Then in the p.m. Morrison and I went to see the Gov. but
he being not at home we were ushered into the presence
of the vice Gov. who received us very cordially. Our
bus. was to meet him and also to get information concer-
ning carriers. But as I has previously supposed that
was left with "MT Mathys, chief de poste a Tumba," and
I will confer with that gentleman when I get there. Then
we went by the Mission & saw Mr. Stanley who was very
much better.|Ni> On the previous evening however,
Morrison Wescott & myself went visiting on a little boat
thet runs the river in connexion with Bishop Taylor's
Mission. We found Messers. White Bros very fine
Gentlemen. One of them born in Michigan and the other
in northern N. Ys They were having prayers with their
crew of native boys six in no. and had it in Congo
Language. After the reading and a few songs in the
native lang. one of the boys lead in prayer in the
native tongue & I followed in English and then we closed
with the lords prayer in concert. We were then treated
to some "Lime aid" (not Lemon) and when we took our dep-
</current_page_ocr>

<previous_page_context kind="raw_ocr_tail" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
Second boek - tiny, brewn - written in black ink

Begins Jan. 1, 1897 in Boma. Leng list of names
in frent.

Ends February 7, 1897.
</previous_page_context>

<next_page_context kind="raw_ocr_head" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
arture for the night Mr. White gave me a $ Bu
Bananas. N.BY

Then we came home & were told we would have to get on
a smal] steamer and go to Matadi tomorrow (Sunday) so
we began our packing and after prayers I retired to be
eaten up by the mosquitoes.

wn}

Sunday Jan. 3 1897

Took calomel and quinine to renovate and tone up my
system, and I stayed on the ship all day with the excep-
tion of a little walk up to the mission about 11 a.m.
with Miss Wilmot & Mr. Stanley who came down to see us
as we were expected to be off. They bro't a "lunch" for
us but as the captain of the steamer which came to take
the passengers only would take the R. R. men we had to
postpone until Tuesday when the Ship which we are on
will go to Matadi. Our Captain treated us all to nice
lemonade and we had a very pleasant visit from the young
ladies. My medicine acted like a charm but prevented
me from going to the Mission to the service but perhaps
it was better that I did not go. I retired about 10 p.m.
and had quite a good nights rest.

Monday - Jan. 4 - 1897

Arose this a.m. feeling exceedingly well, thanks to our
Heavenly Father. Nothing of importance has taken place
thus far in the days There are only five ladies in the
town of Boma @Miss Wilmot & Mrs. Stanley, missionaries
of the I.M. 2 sisters of charity, and the wife of one
of the state officers. Just think of it! when there are
over 200 state officers and employees only one lady among
them! After dinner, I got on the tram - an Engine & one
coa
</next_page_context>

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