The Family Tree: Shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award 2020

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Astaghfirullah,’ he said, touching his ears like ammi often did. ‘I don't mess around with people's daughters, thank you very much. Don't wanna go to hell, do I?’ He suppressed a grin. The Family Tree traces the life of a British Muslim Family in Bradford right from the beginning in 1993 when Amjad loses his wife Neelam during childbirth, and is left to be the sole caretaker of his son Saahil and new born baby girl, Zahra. Neelam leaves behind a pashmina shawl that has a family tree carved on it with little birds flying in beautiful harmony signifying the members of the Sharif family who are now grieving Neelam's loss. Amjad throws himself into the whirlwind of ensuring his children get the life they deserve. This little family creates their own little heaven until the night of Saahil's graduation when their life takes a sinister turn. Soon everything they've painstakingly built comes crashing down, like strong waves carrying them away from the shore. It's very hard to believe this is Sairish Hussain's Debut Novel, you can see how much dedication, love and passion has gone into writing The Family Tree.

Recipe collection: digital scans of handwritten family recipes, perhaps with photos of favorite foods and a family chef’s utensils or dishes

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Genealogy Online for Dummies, 8th edition, by Matthew L. and April Leigh Helm (International Data Group Co.): For beginners to advanced, this guide shows you how to plug in to information on your ancestors. Timeline — Create a photographic timeline — for example, using group shots from family reunions over successive years. Pair a wedding photo of a couple with a photo from their 50th anniversary. Whilst I rushed through the book, reading it in a couple of days, and thoroughly enjoyed the exciting plot, I can’t say I liked Liz much. Her attitude towards her parents that had raised her since being a baby was atrocious. I understand she was hurt for not being told she was adopted but she went over the top and was quite whinny too which made her feel a lot younger than she was. REPRESENTATION! This was the first time in a long time that I read a novel portraying a British Muslim family that did not involve an oppressive father, arranged marriage or any other stereotype constantly perpetuated re Muslim families. This was the story of a normal British Muslim Pakistani family - with Amjad being a great supportive father (I loved amjad, I saw aspects of my own father reflected in him. It was nice to see a normal and supportive Muslim father being represented), I loved Zahra’s obsession with spice girls and Ami’s obsession with the royals (very relatable). It was really nice to see to some aspects of myself being reflect in Zahra, just a normal British Muslim girl.

Family History for the Clueless by George D. Durrant and LaRene Gaunt (Bookcraft): In a format similar to the Dummies and Idiot’s series, Family History for the Clueless offers basic, beginner genealogy instruction in language that’s easy to read and comprehend. What Did They Mean by That? A Dictionary of Historical Terms for Genealogists by Paul Drake (Heritage Books): Includes definitions and descriptions of more than 3,000 words. Now that you have your information, it’s time to actually build your book! Here is exactly how to do it. 4. Make an outline Remember, you’re creating this family tree book for yourself and for other family members to enjoy reading. So, while it may be tempting to include every last bit of research, you’re better off choosing one person, couple, event, era, or theme to build your book around. Which family stories or individuals stand out to you? If there is one relative that you share a special bond, start there. Tracing Your Irish Ancestors by John Grenham (Genealogical Publishing Co.): The fifth edition of this definitive Irish genealogy guidebook is easily the most useful book in Irish genealogy. Get step-by-step instructions on traditional genealogical records, civil records, land records wills, and a list of Roman Catholic parish records and source lists. ItalianWriting Family Histories and Memoirsby Kirk Polking (Betterway Books): A family history is a valuable treasure you can leave your family. Simplify the writing process with strategies that help you define your approach, get started, choose topics, select a style and develop a schedule. Years later, Saahil and his best friend, Ehsan, have finished university and are celebrating with friends. But when the night turns dangerous, its devastating effects will ripple through the years to come. The problem for me was, there's so much being talked about that it rather overshadowed the storytelling. We start off really well with a new father who has just lost his wife in childbirth, and the first part when the kids are young is great, but the emotional connection thins out as we go along so it starts to feel more like a long synopsis of events. I don't often grumble about "telling not showing" but that was what I felt here. Family history books are great projects for sharing family history. Once you’ve got all the essentials of your photo book planned out, take your project to the next level with these ideas for how to make your photo book even more engaging. The Family Tree is a heart warming and poignant story about family, the trials and tribulations of life.

When I read the blurb for The Family Tree I knew that I had to read it. I love a good serial killer story and the twist in this one was brilliant. It was everything that I had hoped it would be and more - highly recommend it. The Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for forty years, leaving no clues behind – only bodies. The Sleuth Book for Genealogists by Emily Anne Croom (Betterway Books): Become a genealogy detective with unique approaches and methods for solving research problems. Case studies and a documentation guide round out this helpful resource. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions or see if your family members have additional photos and memorabilia to contribute to your family history book. 3. Choose a theme The book spans over a period of 24 years (1993-2017) and through Zahra’s passion for activism and politics, Sairish blends in important events that have shaped the narrative on topics, such as terrorism, immigration and race into the story. Zahra’s commentary on these events throughout the book really added a layer of realism and I resonated with her— her feeling of frustration is not one that feels unfamiliar.

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Grouping — Group narratives of key figures or other historical information at the front of the book followed by charts, or place biographies of key figures of each branch immediately before their corresponding descendant charts. Put a unique spin on the tale: How a story is told and who is telling it can add a unique flavor to a story, so it’s worth putting your own spin on the tale. You can share your own memory of the ancestor you’re documenting, or show the origins of a family tradition and how your family has evolved over time. Are you inspired by your great-grandparents love story or journey to America? Tell how their legacy continues to shine through the generations. If the process of writing and creating a narrative book seems a bit daunting, but you envision more than a photo book, a third option hits a sweet spot between the two. I really enjoyed this particular story, but I’m also excited for what it potentially opens up in the publishing industry in terms of the stories that can be told about the British Muslim community, narratives that go beyond radicalisation and forced marriages, and that prove the marketability and success of such stories. Looking forward to Sairish’s next book already! Consistency — List birth, marriage, death, and other dates in the same format throughout your book.

This is fiction at its finest - so closely paralleled to reality that the line between the two is blurred. Sairish depicts the story of a British Pakistani family residing in Yorkshire pre 9/11 to the present day. Home history: photos of a family home or cottage enjoyed by multiple generations over the years, with notes or quotations about what it means to people U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal and State Sources, Colonial America to the Present by James C. Neagles (Ancestry): You probably have an ancestor who served in the colonial or US military in some capacity. This book tells you what records exist and how to access them. State recordsDescendant list book: This book is similar to the above descendant tree book, but it emphasizes text over photos. Consider it for large reunions or donating to libraries. German-English Genealogical Dictionary by Ernest Thode (Genealogical Publishing Co.): This book is for the family researcher who has little or no knowledge of German, but who needs German-language documents translations. The dictionary covers thousands of German terms and defines them in single words or brief phrases. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360/Avon. I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.