  We show that a particular subfunctor of the relative logarithmic Picard
functor for families of aligned, log semistable curves over a regular base
scheme and smooth over an open dense subscheme of the base is representable by
a smooth algebraic space which is slightly more separated than the classical
relative Picard functor. We show the existence of its maximal separated
quotient and give a new functorial interpretation in terms of logarithmic
geometry for the N\'eron model of the relative Picard functor of the smooth
locus when we restrict to transversal pull backs from spectra of discrete
valuation rings. We also show that aligned degenerations are log
cohomologically flat.
