This means family ties are stronger than other relationships.

VOA: special.2009.03.01

Instead, the focus was on people-to-people exchanges -- encouraging family ties, and clearing the way for U.S.telecommunication firms and satellite radio and television services to seek access to the Cuban market.

VOA: standard.2009.04.13

Restrepo,who has family ties to Colombia, also answered questions in Spanish from regional reporters, marking the first time in recent memory that a dual language press briefing was held at the White House.

VOA: standard.2009.04.13

Ted Nash wanted his composition about Chagall to express his ties to family and Eastern European culture.

VOA: special.2010.03.24