If the family is gone, it is gone. Sorry.
However, we have recently implemented a change that preserves all accounts that have existed for at least 3 months—so if you join again, play for at least 3 months, and leave, even if it takes you 5 years to come back, your account will still be there! (Unless we get such an influx of new players in that time that we have to change our minds....or the game is gone entirely!
)