I am sure that each immigrant (or maybe ships passenger) had to furnish biographical information - I don't think that in 1851 just anyone could walk into Court and request citizenship without furnishing background info. Before 1906, there was very little background information on Naturalization papers. They had to have 2 citizens as witnesses to their good character. They also had to have a 5 year period between filling their "declaration of intention" and the final papers. Ann