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Add note about blank payloads
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Based on discussion in issue FamilySearch#495

Signed-off-by: Dave Thaler <[email protected]>
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dthaler2 committed Oct 8, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -1138,6 +1138,14 @@ A place, which can be represented in several ways:
or in the `HEAD`.`PLAC`.`FORM` if there is no `FORM` substructure.
If neither `FORM` exists, the meaning of the elements are not defined in this specification beyond being names of jurisdictions of some kind, ordered from smallest to largest.

:::note
Existing applications often default to assuming a `FORM` of "City, County, State, Country",
and may even ignore any `FORM` substructures and treat payloads with a smaller number of
elements as if they had additional blank elements at the end. Accordingly, to increase
the chances of interoperability it is recommended that blank elements be used to ensure
payloads can be interpreted as best as possible in such a circumstance.
:::

Elements should be left blank if they are unknown, do not apply to the location, or are too specific for the region in question.

<div class="example">
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