Just wanted to update the Blank Sim story:
Turns out, they are Maxis made Sims! The pre-made Social Group Townies & several of the pre-made Vacation Locals have no "thumbnail" image in SimPE, at least not right out of the gate. (They are "blank" when I look at the original Maxis-made Neighborhood package file too.)
I am hopeful that this changes once they are "officially" generated in the game. (I'm still "setting up" my @#$% Hoods right now. Sometimes I really hate being so freaking...
me !