# 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-137

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

<current_page_ocr status="non_authoritative_hypothesis">
Sunday Jan. 30 ~ 1898

Mr. Graham and Mr. Wooding went out to a native town this
Qeme to try and get the people together to talk to them a
little about Jesus, but they could not get a hearing, ex-
cept a few men indirectly, and as soon as they realized
that they were being told about the gospel, they did not
like it. The morning service was conducted by Mr. Morgan
and also the afternoon service. At night I conducted the
service at B.M.S. The people around Tumba, both the na-
tive boys and the coast men turn out te service pretty
well.

Monday Jan. 31-1898

I made my round to see if I could do anything for any who
might be sick, but I only found one man, and he was very
feeble, suffering from rheumatism & neuralgia. I gave
him some medicins, which seems to help him some. I had
two caravans come in, one I paid off, but the other I
made wait till tomorrow when I will give them some salt t
carry to the Pool. This p.m. Mrs. Crowley assisted in th
school. Her first work was giving instructions in pen-
manship. After seeing that the work went on Oe,+ in that
branch, she had the oversight of another branch. All wen
well. They, Mrs. C. & Mrs. G. were assisted by Mrs. Wood
ing. Mrs. Solner came in as a visitor-the latter is the
wife of a trader she was interested very mueh. After
school they all came over with Mrs. Crowley and had a
lovely time, and had afternoon tea - set off with deli-
cious rolls doughnuts & cake which Mrs. C. made in the
aeme The day passed off lovely. We are reading together
at every opportunity books & we enjoy it so much.

Tuesday Feb. 18t 1898

I got up very early this a.m. to post a letter on the
train but just arrived in time to see the train go. Later
in the day, however, I received the information I wanted,
and was glad I did not sent the letter. I loaded my eara-
van and sent them off gladly. Mr. Ohlenschlager went te
NKissi today. We had a terrible hard rain this afternoon,
after which Mrs. Graham came over and spent an hour or so
after supper we read. both well. Sophie & Stephen.

Wednesday Feb. 2-1898

We are both well, thanks to ovr kind Father. I made my
regular round and found all in good condition. Baron de
Rozen, the commissaire of the district had been off for
some time and returned today. Mr. Pinnock returned about
5 o'clock. He is looking well. tonight I had the Congo
</current_page_ocr>

<previous_page_context kind="validated_structured_tail" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
o probably, or
wagon. car. 152-A.P.C.M. 273 bale of Americani-I send you
from Tumba-Phipps Mattress 405-Morrison bath 420-Fearing
16-18- car. 153 Morrison 406 Mattress-Phipps 423-bath-
Thomas 17-Fearing 574 WMM 573-Sheppard 575-A.P.C.M. 4
bags salt from my store each weighing 29 lbs. You ought
to make these bring you in 50 francs each. car. 154-AFCM
16 bags salt as before.
All the above have been dispatched since the 12 of the
mo. it is now the 25th I hope you will get them by the
1st boat. I have just rec'd a cot from Vegeteaux of 891
2-11 worth of goods which Mr. V. bot through Dr. Sims.
Also about 10b &c purchased by Dr. Snyder, shoes &c for
Sheppard & Phipps.
There are some more goods to come from Matadi soon-
but I have nothing for Luebo now. All gone. Mrs. Crowle
joins me in sending love to you all we are both well.
All in Tumba are quite well now Mrs. Wooding lost her
little baby a few days ago tell Dr. Snyder about it.
With kindest and best love and prayers for your health &
success I am your brother in Christ. If all the people a
the mission want a small boat I will not object. I learn
however that the Dutch House is going to have an addition
of 2 more boats soon - that is a fact. J. S. Crowley

Saturday Jan. 29 - 1898
This has been an uneventful day. Just the ordinary rou-
tine of work and preparations being made for Sunday. Mr.
Silva was up to afternoon tea and he killed a beef and
sent us the heart and a nice piece of liver which we
divided with Mr. & Mrs. Graham.
</previous_page_context>

<next_page_context kind="raw_ocr_head" status="continuity_only_non_authoritative">
service and had a big crowd - the house was full. I had
a slew peke of a fellow to help me, but I got tired of hi
slewness and did it myself. after the service we had a
baleon assentien, in honor of Mr. P's return. We leoked
fer the pest but the Express did net arrive until 12
o'clock midnight.

Thursday Feb. 3 ~ 1898

This merning before we arose, there was a very hard rain,
in fact it rained hard fer several heurs, beginning about
3 er 4 ecleck, when it rains exceedingly hard and acom-
panied with wind it drives the rain threugh every place
that the air can penetrate, se en this eccasion the rain
came in through the reef in several places. I went to
the office te get the mail, but found that the Burepean
er American pest did net ceme, so will have to await the
next train. You see we have a train every and day.
Nething of interest has occurred. Mr. Mergan had the
English prayer meeting service tonight and we had a fairl
geed attendance.

Friday Feb. 4 - 1898

Yesterday p.m. I found a man who needed some medicine and
I gave him some. This a.m. I went te see how he was and
feund him at work. The medicine had the desired effect
end all was well. While I am telling this a boy has come
fer medicine fer hie brother whese neck is swollen badly,
so he says. I sent him fer his brether in erder that I
might leek at him. «~ Here he comes. -- My, such a big
swelling & very sere - reaching nearly the whele way
areund the neck. IJ put a peultice ef Linseed meal en it
and gave him a goed p
</next_page_context>

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