# 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-182

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

<current_page_ocr status="non_authoritative_hypothesis">
Ke thought a better way would be to explain the gift and
give them the money» They were highly pleased.

Tuesday July 12 - 1898

Get up early to see the friends off for the Fool - gave
them some letters for Mr. Sheppard - the European letters
were put in the wrong bag and carried by & we will have
to wait for them until tomorrow. Mr. Keel one of the
Dutch agents came up & had after-noon tea with us.

Wednesday July 135 - 1898
I forgot to mention that each Monday Baron De Rozen sent
us @ nice piece of venison. He went Hunting & killed a
nice fat antelope ~ & today we had the last of it. I led
the prayer meeting tonight. No news all well

Sephie & Stephen
Thursday July 14 - 1898
I had developed some photographs today & taken off some
prints for Crimonini, a trader and he wanted the plates
to send to Europe so I let him have one & he gave me
$3°° a good days work - he was is the man I sold my house
to. Mr. Silva sent us a nice piece of steak today so you
see we have been faring well. Mr. Pinnock & I went
hunting this pam. Mr. Keel took tea with us again today.
I paid the Dutch House a lot of money, for Mdee & a balarce
due for my Donkey. We got no deer. I shot at one but
missed it. "Hunters luck.®

Friday July 15 ~ 1898

Yesterday we got some letters - Sophie got one from Flora
& I got one from the Committee. We rec'd the Ladies

Home Journal & some boston papers & the Christian Observer
Always glad to get them. We hear a little about the war
always from England before our papers come. Mr. Frame

of Wathen came in today. He & Mr. & Mrs. Wooding are
going to make a trip te San Salvador next week - a six
days journey. Mr. Cameron left for Wathen today quite a
number of state officers came up on the train today.

Saturday July 16 - 1898

I went down to the train to see a friend off who has been
kind to me & is going to Europe - his time is finished.
Mssrs. Finneck, Frame & Morgan dined with us at 6 o'clock
this eve. We all had another hunt today but failed to
kill anything I shot at a jackal & a flying deer, but
failed to hit ~ or at least to kill -
</current_page_ocr>

<previous_page_context kind="validated_structured_tail" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
f & dismissed it - all goods now will be
shipped on R.R. We are to go to Kinchasa to live we will
move some time during this month D.V. We shall let our
friends know. good night Sophie & Stephen

Sunday July 10 - 1898
It was my turn to preach to the natives this morning, but
Mr. Cameron of B.M.S. from Wathen was here & wanted to
hear Mr. Wooding preach. Mr. W. had just had an examina-
tion, as he wanted to leave the C.B.M. & join B.M.S. &
Mr. Cameron was one of the examiners, so I got Mr. Wooding
to preach in the a.m. & I preached for him in the after-
noon to the Accras. I led the service at night. We had
only a prayer service.

Monday July 11 - 1898
Somewhat busy today writing letters &c five missionaries
for C.B.M. came up from Matadi Mr. & Mrs. Harris, Miss
Colk Messrs. Bordeaux & Jeffrey - Along with them on the
train just ahead came 9 agents for the Dutch Co. together
with some French officers & a lot of soldiers. After
supper Mrs. Crowley & I went to Mr. Woodings & called on
the new missionaries they will leave in the morning - for
the Pool. Today Mr. Pinnock distributed 40 - ½ franc
pieces among the school children giving each one 2 pieces.
While the excursionists were here Mr. Morgan showed his
magic lantern pictures & the boys had the hymn books and
sang some pieces led by Mr. Pinnock. The people could
hardly understand that the Congo people could be taught
to read & sing like that & one gentleman a Russion,
gave Mr. Pinnock 20 frands to buy sweets for the children.
</previous_page_context>

<next_page_context kind="raw_ocr_head" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
Sunday July 17 - 1898

Eventful - Sophie not sick but thinks it better to stay

in and rest today. Mr. Frame preached this a.m. & Pele

The meeting at our house tonight. All well - good night
S&S

July 21 - 1898
My Bear Bro. Morrison -
on Mar. 14 I sent a list to Dr.

Snyder, thinking he would forward to you - again I sent

with Sheppard hurriedly - but now will send you direct.

May 11 caravan 162 Snyder 1 peesgirion} Mission case 614

-°Fh

Phipps 510-516-16 Caravan 183°-fhipps cases 500/501-509-
5\1-Bales 585-590-Snyder case 604-Bales 591/592 - Verner
bales~251-254-259/260- May 24 - I delivered to Dr. Sims

by train cases Phipps 601/603 - Thomas 600 - Fearing 606/
608 - Morrison 605 - Again on May 19 - bales A.M.M. 756/
757-761 ~764-782-785-792/793-795-799-801 ~ Verner 721-726-
817-709-711 -737-742~748~-250~252/253~255/256-257 /258-261 ~
Phipps 584-586/589-701~703/704 ~ Mission TAS/TAT-TA9 -
Snyder 593 - cases Phipps 507/508-512/515-597. Fearing-
595-596 - mission 599- again on June 6 sacs. couries W.M.M
96/905 - Bales 760-754~769-767-790-779-789-758-796-791 ~
199-171-751 ~778=7 715-163-797 -162=770=798~752—781 =7 72-7 73~
774~750-786-764-785~760-802-7 76-765-800~732-71 4-71-77 =
759-768 = cases 2-4/7-12-20/21-26/27-29-h3-46-871 -874-891 /
895 - Verner bales - 81 2-735-724-733-750~739-730~7 36-81 he
110-723~-718-722—1816-707-729-81 8-71 7-706-81 3-720-726~740-
815-71 2-809-708-794-754~727-61 1 -725-716-719~713 = cases -
10-2--910-907-70-47-40-69-59-21 -34-60-29-6~909-24-63
</next_page_context>

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