Before Creating a Manuscript Record

Before creating a manuscript record, as with all entities, it is important to check whether it already exists! Avoid relying solely on the repository folder in GitHub where you expect it to be; instead, search for the manuscript's shelfmark or other identifiers on the app. Remember that records for EMML and EMIP manuscripts may already exist in their respective repositories or vice versa.

Manuscript Structure: Use of msDesc, msPart, and msFrag

It is highly recommended to consult the TEI guidelines for manuscript description. Regarding the structure of simple and composite manuscripts, the guidelines state in Manuscript Parts:

Since each component of such a composite manuscript will in all likelihood have its content, physical description, history, and so on, the structure of msPart is in the main identical to that of msDesc, allowing one to retain the top level of identity (msIdentifier), but to branch out thereafter into as many parts, or even subparts, as necessary.

For manuscripts consisting of only one part, we use ↗ exclusively. However, when a structure with codicological units occurs, we use ↗. Note that ↗ can contain other ↗s. The ↗ element is used when parts of a manuscript are kept in different repositories. In our schema, ↗ can also be used alongside ↗ for special cases, such as BNFet45.

As per issue 368, the following approach is adopted for cases where leaves or quires have been moved. The manuscript currently containing the unit will have a ↗ with a description and a pointer to the manuscript where the unit originated. The manuscript that has lost the unit will instead have a ↗ pointing to the manuscript where the unit is now located. Please do not confuse this with cases where leaves or quires are lost.

Double Records

In some cases, you may find that the same manuscript is present under two identifiers.

This can be resolved by merging the two records into one and deleting the record with less information. When doing so, ensure that any references to the deleted identifier are updated to point to the retained identifier.

Differentiating Between Various Levels of Description

On versioning and credits see the section on revisions.

When enriching a historical catalogue description, such as verifying images or adding new information, this can be acknowledged using

Manuscript Encoding: Overview

1. General structure of the Manuscript record
2. Structure of the Identifiers in a Manuscript record
3. Description of the Manuscript
4. Text encoding
5. References
6. Stratigraphic description (La Syntaxe du Codex)
7. Images

Specific types of written artefacts include:

1. Inscriptions
2. Scrolls
3. Letters