This has to do with family history and I can't seem to find what I need to know on the I'net, so I'm asking Mudcatters - you're a pretty knowledgable lot!

Although it is slightly more complicated than this, what the questions boil down to are these;

1) How long would it take a passenger ship in 1860 to go from France to New Orleans, Louisiana ? (I don't know if it was sails, steam, or a combination)

2.) If a baby was born "at sea", in 1860, would they be a citizen of the place their parents were coming from, or going to, and who would issue a birth certificate, if any ??

3.) Did they bury people at sea in 1860, or would they carry them on to port. Either way, would they be likely to issue a death certificate ?

Thanks for your help.