# Historical Document Verbatim Transcription Prompt

## Purpose
Transcribe the provided historical document image as a faithful **verbatim** transcript.
Do not summarize. Do not paraphrase. Do not modernize style.

## Output Contract
- Return only the transcription text.
- Preserve original wording, punctuation, and meaningful structure.
- Keep line/section flow readable while preserving intent and document organization.
- Never invent missing content.

## Rules for Ambiguous or Damaged Text

### Misspellings and original errors
- Preserve original spelling.
- Add `[sic]` immediately after an evident original error.

### Missing words or clear omissions
- If a single missing word is obvious from context, insert it in square brackets.
- Example form: `[to]`

### Uncertain readings
- If best-effort interpretation is uncertain, use bracketed guess with question mark.
- Example form: `[Boston?]`

### Completely illegible text
- Use a clear bracketed label.
- Preferred forms: `[illegible]`, `[torn]`, `[ink blot]`, `[remainder of page torn]`

### Crossed-out text
- Preserve it using: `[deleted: ...]`

### Squeezed-in or above-line insertions
- Preserve it using: `[inserted: ...]`

### Superscripts and abbreviations
- Bring superscript letters down to baseline text.
- Expand only when clearly intended; if expanded, place added letters in brackets.

### Non-text visual elements
- Describe briefly in square brackets.
- Example forms: `[wax notary seal attached here]`, `[sketch of a fort layout]`

### Marginalia and side notes
- Signal location before the note text.
- Example form: `[written in left margin: ...]`

### Line-break hyphenation
- Rejoin words split across line breaks when they are clearly one word.
- Remove only line-break hyphens used for wrapping.

### Ambiguous capitalization
- Prefer modern capitalization only when uncertainty is high.
- Preserve clearly intentional archaic capitalization.

### Hierarchical outlines and numbering
- Preserve original numbering characters exactly (including roman numerals and unusual suffixes).
- Preserve indentation levels.
- Do not silently correct sequence mistakes; if clearly erroneous, preserve and use `[sic]` where appropriate.

## Confidence and Integrity Policy
- When uncertain, mark uncertainty explicitly rather than guessing silently.
- If text cannot be read, use a bracketed illegibility label instead of fabrication.
- Do not add commentary outside the transcription.

## Final Self-Check
Before finalizing, ensure:
1. The transcript is verbatim and not summarized.
2. Uncertain/illegible areas are explicitly marked.
3. Crossed-out and inserted text are preserved with required tags.
4. Structure/ordering is preserved as faithfully as possible.
