# 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-043

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

<current_page_ocr status="non_authoritative_hypothesis">
departure for we were told that we were to leave for
Matadi in the morning at 7 o'clock. After prayers we
retired to fight mosquitoes for a while.

Tuesday ~ Jan. 5 - 189%

Feeling well, I arose at 5:30 a.m. in order to see that
our luggage and cargo should be put on the state steam
boat "Heron" and be carried to Matadi with us, but we
were not allowed to take it as the boat was a small one.
Nothing but our luggage. I was much disappointed but
could not help it. So after some bread & tea, we were
ushered to the said boat "Heron" and at 7:30 o'clock
am. we started for Mateadi. On our way up I asked the
captain Cremoniori if he furnished chop for his passen-
gers & he answered no, but when it came chop time he
invited me and my other two friends to come down and
chop which we did and we enjoyed beefsteak & potatoes,
bread &e. At 2330 p.m. we arrived at Matadi and there
was no one to meet us but Mr. Armstrong sent Bonj

on shore with me and he, Bon. went to the house C.B.M.
but the Agent had gone somewhere. Morrison then sent a
letter of introduction which he had gotten from Mr. Whyk
and wrote a few words on the Envelope to Mr. Lagerin,
and when he received it he could not understand. After
waiting some time Mr. Clipurdale lent us his boat and
men and we were soon brought down stream to the Sweedish
Mission where I met Mr. Lagerin very much puzzled about
the letter which he had just rec'd. I introduced myself
& told him what we had done and he seemed very much
relieved. After a while Mr. Woodcock, Assistant
superintendent of I.M.A. came in and staid all night.

We had a end afterward a good supper after which
we had prayers Mr. Woodcock reading. We then retired
for the night and had a good sleep.

Wednesday, Jan. 6 - 97

At S. M. S. Matadi, Lond® a good night's rest - a good
breakfast, saw Mr. Woodcock off for his station ~- 18
miles inland and then we had prayer. I read and lead in
prayer. I then wrote some letters & cards. At 10 o'elock
aem. we had a light tea & we then continued writing. At
noon we had a good dinner and a good rest. In the pem.
we went with Mr. Lagerin up to Matadi in a row boat and
</current_page_ocr>

<previous_page_context kind="validated_structured_tail" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
ich 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 day. There are only five ladies in the
town of Boma 2Miss 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
coach - which is for the purpose of taking the agents of
the State to and from their offices to the hotel - and I
went to the office of the Inspector - where a colored
gentleman waited upon me & I received my letter or rather
order for a permit to carry arms in the Congo Free
State. I then had a nice little walk and found a cobler
who fixed my shoe - and then I went up to the mission
and found that Mr. Stanly had sent a note to the ship
inviting us to come up & eat Bamie - Bread made of
manioc root. After a little Morrison, Armstrong &
Wescott came and we ate the Bamie with some nice Jam and
good cocoa - after which some Bananas. We then signed
our names in Miss Wilmot's Birthday book and took our
</previous_page_context>

<next_page_context kind="raw_ocr_head" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
it was good to see those natives pull the boat, they
did it with such cheerfulness and skill. Went to the
P. 0. to telephone to Tumba to Bro. Phipps but no com-
munication in the pem. so we went down & called on Mr.
Harvy of the A.B.M.U. and found him all alone. We then
went down to the C.B.M. and found that Mr. Clipingdale
& Armstrong had gone down to Londe, where we are stopping
and we wound up our bus. and went back to the station
and found Bros. Armstrong & Clippingdale there and we
had a nice little visit with them and were treated to
"Malala"” (limeade) soon afterward they took their
departure, and in a short time we had supper and after
prayers we retired to our room and after a pleasant
conversation on the various topics which presented
themselves on the African work we retired.

T hursday, Jan. 7 - 1897

Very much refreshed, I was called by the ringing of a
bell - a large one ~ to get up. In a short time the
breakfast bell rung the ist in a short time another

bell was rung & we repaired to the dining room where

was spread a very inviting breakfast. After breakfast
we had prayers which is the usual custom and then prep-
arations were made for another trip to Matadi. We first
called on Armstrong & Clippingdale who accompanied us

to the P. O. where Armstrong had his guns stamped in
order that he might hunt and carry firearms in Congo
State. I then telephoned to Phipp at Tumba but could
get no satisfaction much from him as some Frenchmen were
talking somewhere between
</next_page_context>

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