The families of the Carmo village, in the interior of the state of São Paulo SP Brazil, were analyzed through family and child anamneses, photos and drawings of houses, interviews with school, day-care and health officers. Carmo village, originally founded by a group of slaves (quilombo) and characterized by an extended family network, has lost its capacity to produce agricultural jobs. Analysis focused on sharing family concerns, on the inhabitants’ involvement with non-governmental organizations and with public authorities. Four family types were identified according to place connections and attachment: non-connected and non-attached families; connected and attached families; connected and non-attached families; non-connected and attached families. Insertion modality in the social and familial context is a consequence of past histories and indicates the success and failure of the family enterprise.
Family; social projects; "quilombo"