# 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-224

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

<current_page_ocr status="non_authoritative_hypothesis">
4

badly - her

& other days she is feeling
she is feeling so badly that

We hope that nothing serious may happen.

Some days Sophie is quite wel?
did not come on this time ~

Jan. 13 - 99
menstruation

she is think-

ing of going home.

Leo. Sunday, Jan. 8 - 1899

Mr. Wooding preached at the Congo service this a.m. br.
Snyder in the p.m. we were to have prayer meeting at
our house but a most terrific thunder Storm came up.
Capt. Lindstrum an officer of the State & Master of the
Steamboat Deliverance, had supper with us & stayed until
10 o'clock pom. Good night.

Monday Jan. 9 - 1899

Yesterday was Market day - when I should have gotten
Quanga for the boys but I had plenty so did not send.
Mr. Vass & Mr. Wooding went to Kinshasa today & took
dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Rogers ~ came back in due time -
walked bothaways - Nothing of interest happened.

Tuesday Jan. 10 - 1899

Dr. Snyder is making preparations for going to Matadi
tomorrow. J] have gathered some mangoes for Mr. Pinnock
& will send them by the Doctor. I bought his ticket &
made all ready -

Wednesday Jan. 11 - 1899

Dr. Snyder went off this a.m. He will sleep at Tumba
tonight & resume his journey tomorrow. I rested all
day ~- for I was tired. Nothing of int.

Thursday Jan. 12 - 1899

Heard from Dr. S. he got to Tumba O.K. Mr. Pinnock rec'd
his mangoes. Market day & I got my quango for the boys
chope good night.

Friday Jan. 13 - 1896

Another unimportant day - I am anxiously awaiting my
bycicle for I need it so much. I shall now say good
night.

Sat. Jan. 14 - 1899

Today I did what was necessary about the place but
nothing has happened worth noting. I went to the train
thinking I would get my bicicle & our box - but I was
disappointed once more.

Sunday dan. 15 - 1899

Mr. Wooding held Congo service service this a.m. & Mr.
Vass preached in the afternoon ~ Mrs. Crowley had $.S«
The day passed away easily.

If she goes home it will be probably the last of March
or the last of April - we are sorry it is so.
</current_page_ocr>

<previous_page_context kind="validated_structured_tail" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
reight & he could not
get at them when he left the ship - and so he preferred
to wait for his things with us than to wait at Matadi
for it is so hot there. You see I'm to have a wheel-
Sophie was very much disappointed in not getting the box
at once, but we hope to have it in a few days.

Thursday Jan. 5 - 1899
Nothing of interest today until the train came in - about
4 o'clock Mr. Vass & I walked to the P.O. & I posted some
letters we then went to the depot & waited for the train-
Mr. Wooding from Tumba was on board - so we met him &
escorted him to Mr. Woolings where he is stopping - after
supper he & Mr. Wooling came up to our house & spent the
evening pleasantly.

Friday Jan. 6 - 1899
again a quiet day - I brought some boxes from Depot Mr.
Wooding brought up on the train for me - chop - good-night

Saturday Jan. 7 - 1899
About 10 o'clock this a.m. Sophie was making doughnuts
pies or things and preparing a good dinner, so she ran
me off to Kinshasa to see Mr. Gordon & baby - by-the-way
I forgot to mention that on last Monday morning little
Miss Sarah Louise made her advent into the world - a nice
little chap with kinky hair - all Africans are born that
way you know. I met Mr. & Mrs. Rogers & went to Dutch
House Had a good ride in hammock - good-night.

Jan. 1 - 1899 - Sophie felt so badly that she stayed in bed nearly all day - Mr. Vass came in
tonight. Sophie was not well, but when we heard a voice from the southern
states of America she could stand it no longer & got up.
</previous_page_context>

<next_page_context kind="raw_ocr_head" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
Monday Jan. 16 - 1899

The boys cut wood, gathered mangoes &c. I felt a little
queer and about 5 o'clock p.m. went to bed & took my ten-
perature - I found it 102° I piled on the blankets got i
among the hot-water bottles, drank hot water, & began to
perspire most profusely ~ Sophie had not been feeling
well, but my having fever gave her such a scare that she
got well at once. After I had perspired freely for some
time I decided that my fever was going down, but on
taking my temp. again I found that it had gone up a
degree. I drank more hot water, hot milk an so on and
sweat freely for an hour or so longer - found temp. going
down took Quinine & in the a.m. was O.K.

Tuesday Jan. 17 - 1899

This aem. I got up, against the wishes of every one for
I had no fever - and I know about what the fever was,
but I rested on the Sopha nearly all day and did very
little work - train came in but did not bring bike nor
box - good=-night.

Wednesday Jan. 18 -1899

Today I am as strong as an ox. Had some cleaning up done
wrote letters &c. Henrietta Steamer came in from Kassai
but we did not get any mail from Luebo - the boat will

not go to Kassai this time but will go to Stanley Falls
on rout congo.

Thursday Jan. 19 - 1899
Another day has passed. No boat yet - the boat is out a
long time this time. Nothing of interest, I went to the
train expecting to get the bike & box, but they did not
come - Sophie is much disappointed - I believe I am more
so for I need the wheel - All well. good night
</next_page_context>

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