Mark Cross has been fascinated with genealogy since he was 12 years old. He read a Cross Family History written by Samuel Cross, which included a transcription of a letter written by his 2nd great grandfather’s brother and his experiences in the Civil War. Both brothers fought in the war, for different regiments of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The thought that we had a letter from someone who lived in the 1860s was fascinating!
Mark started his own family tree research in the mid 1990s, but had no idea what a source was. He then got busy with his career in TV Commercial Production and took a break for a few years. Around 2008 he got busy again, and started to get an education and read books about genealogy and family tree research.
Mark has done some amazing work that he’s pretty proud of to learn about his family’s roots. With his experience, he now offers his services as a family genealogist for your family!
Mark’s specialty is to get a big box of stuff; photos, documents, scrapbooks, old family trees written by great grandma, and scan it all and put it together for your family history! He can provide a final product to you in whatever format you prefer, including a written family tree report, an online family tree, a GEDCOM or other format file for your family tree software, or even a book that you can publish for your future generations!
Mark has experience with video interviews and audio and video editing, and can help you produce a video for a family event. Mark did such a project for his parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, including wedding photos, family photos, and even 8mm film from the wedding back in 1965! Mixed in with current day interviews of the couple interviewed separately, stories were told of how they first met, and their early married life together. This video put it all together and was screened at a family reunion to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and the family loved it! Mark can help you do the same type of video for your family!
Mark is active in ProGen 37, an online study group from June 2018-June 2019. When completed, Mark plans on becoming a Certified Genealogist.
Mark lives in Southern California, and can locate and retrieve local records for you or your own professional genealogist that you are already working with. Mark also accepts clients for genealogical research for you. Contact me for more information about how I can help.
Mark Cross
Member, Association of Professional Genealogists