Family A family ( also described as a familial connection ) was a relationship between people by genetics , marriage , adoption , or an especially strong friendship . Those in a family were typically described as relatives ; those that lived prior to an individual were known as ancestor s , while those that lived after an individual were known as descendant s . In 2374 , Seven of Nine said the need for familial connections was a weakness . ( ) Later in 2376 , Seven of Nine evolved to believe that she and Naomi Wildman said they considered each other family because they were very close friends . ( ) The study of these family relationships was known as genealogy . ( ) Crews of some starship s considered themselves family . " In 2259 of the alternate reality , expressed his joy that an orphan ed would be a part of the ' s family as a regular crew member , not merely a temporary specialist ; Marcus remarked that it was nice to have a family . " ( ) Cultural views . Familial connections varied by species , culture , gender , sex ual identity , and preference . Denobulan s commonly had several spouse s , each of which had more spouses , and children by each . ( ) Bolian families may have likewise been polygamous . ( ) According to Kotan Pa ' Dar , " On Cardassia , family is everything . We care for our parent s and our child ren with equal devotion . In some households , four generation s eat at the same table . Family is . . . everything . " ( ) Indirect genetic and non - genetic connections . Aunts and uncles . An aunt ( sometimes called " Auntie " ) was the sister of a parent or the wife of a parent ' s brother , while an uncle was the brother of a parent or the husband of a parent ' s sister . ( , et al . ) Similarly , a great aunt was the sister , or the brother ' s wife , of a grandparent ; likewise , the male counterpart was a great uncle . ( ) The terms can also be terms of endearment or one who helps , mentors or encourages someone . ( ; ) Travis Mayweather once noted that " " On a cargo ship , you can ' t walk ten meter s without running into your babysitter or a great aunt . " " ( ) Vice Admiral J . P . Hanson commented to Captain Jean - Luc Picard of Lieutenant Commander Shelby ' s drive after joining Starfleet Tactical as being the reason for " " every admiral ' s uncle [ having ] a take on this Borg business . " " ( ) Cousins . Cousins were two offspring who shared a common grandparent , where one cousin ' s parent was a sibling to the other cousin ' s parent . ( , et al . ) Nieces and nephews . A niece was the daughter of one ' s sibling , likewise , a nephew was the son of one ' s sibling . ( , et al . ) Relatives . Relatives were any and / or all of the above examples of family whose relationship was unspecified . ( ) According to Phlox , " " Denobulan s take great pleasure in bequeath ing their belongings to far - flung relatives . " " ( ) While visiting 1996 Earth , Kathryn Janeway claimed " " I don ' t know what my relatives were doing this far back in history . " " ( ) When Sergey Rozhenko contacted the Klingon High Command regarding the fostering of Worf , he was told that Worf had no living relatives . ( ) While investigating Simon Tarses as a possible Romulan collaborator , Worf requested of Ensign Kellogg to get him a " " list of all relatives , known associates and especially old school friends . " " ( ) William Riker , surgically altered to appear Bajoran , posed as one of Ro Laren ' s relatives during a covert mission against the Maquis in 2370 . ( ) When Harry Kim , who was led to believe he was half - Taresian , arrived at his believed homeworld , he inquired as to whether he could find out if he had any relatives there . ( )