Anthony Raczkiewicz married Apolonia Skrobat September 6, 1920

Anthony J Raczkiewicz (my grandfather) married Apolonia Skrobot (my grandmother) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 6, 1920. Reverend C Skory performed the marriage and Joseph Raczkiewicz and J. (Juuie?) Sagauska are listed as witnesses. Joseph was Anthony’s older brother and I think J. Sagauska was “Jennie” who my mother remembered was a long term friend of Joseph. The record says he was 25 years old but I know he was 27 since I have now seen his translated birth certificate. Apolonia (Pauline) was 18 according to the records but with a birthdate of April 1904, she was actually 16 ½ years old. This might explain the later confusion where family members thought she would “lie” about her age and claim to be younger than she was. (In the 1930 census, she claims she was 17 when married. The marriage document indicates 18. Birth dates vary . . . ) At the time of the marriage, Anthony was a cabinet maker. Pauline traveled from Oil City, Pennsylvania to Grand Rapids with a friend to visit relatives. She met and married Anthony Raczkiewicz while on the visit. Her wedding dress, veil and bouquet were very elaborate. She told her family the wedding gown was featured in the window of Wurzburg’s Department Store in downtown Grand Rapids. She bought and wore the matching shoes even though they were the wrong size and pinched her feet. Anthony’s last name and his father’s last name are spelled Ratkiewicz on this document.