Talk:Wolfgang Hellrigl

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Sorry, he moved to Alto Adige (Italy) in 1945 and, after studying and travelling in 1960-1975, he settled once and for all in Bolzano in 1976 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. --Michael Romanov (talk) 22:21, 14 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

OK but that doesn't make him Italian unless he took Italian nationality and gave up his German one acquired at birth? Philafrenzy (talk) 22:23, 14 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
He was born in Germany in 1941. In 1945, he moved with his parents to Italy. So, he entered there a normal Italian school. At age 18, he graduated from an Italian high school and received an appropriate Italian document. This was probably year 1959. Next year, in 1960, he went to Austria to enter the Vienna University. To cross the border, he was issued an Italian passport and he held it all the way till 1976 when he returned to Italy, lived and worked there till his death. Alternatively, he somehow managed to turn his German birth certificate into a German citizen passport and held it all his life while never living in Germany. Nationality means nothing in this case. In the USA, for instance, it does not matter what original nationality is a person. The US passport matters. The same is applicable to any non-native, alien residents who acquire a passport of a country where they live. This can be any other country, UK, Sweden, Australia, whatsoever. So, he was definitely the Italian citizen, holding the Italian passport, lived most of his life in Italy and died there. Why cannot he be considered an Italian philatelist? --Michael Romanov (talk) 02:30, 15 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
On Wikipedia I think we normally go with someone's legal nationality even if they did live most of their life in another country but I understand what you are saying. Do you know for a fact that the events are as you describe and that he acquired an Italian passport? What is the source of that information as it does not appear to be included in any of the references in your message? Will you add it to the article? Philafrenzy (talk) 11:22, 15 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Of course, I don't have his passport photocopy, and I see your point and disagreement here. Well, it's up to you to provide the correct category for this article. I highly respect your opinion. Overall, I am admired with a splendid series of your articles (and image uploads!) covering a huge range of philatelic persons, organizations and related topics. Best regards, --Michael Romanov (talk) 14:42, 15 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]