Recently, it was suggested here that I contact the French archives about my relative. He was deported back to Cherbourg on the American Line Philadelphia in 1914 because he was deemed physically unfit. He had been living in Paris but was probably still a Russian subject. The archives have focused on the passenger list which they say the shipping lines maintained and they don't have.
My question is: What would happen to someone after they landed back in Cherbourg and left the ship? Would they be allowed to stay in France? Would they have to register somewhere or could they just disappear into the night?
I would appreciate any insight or being pointed in the right direction.
