Families are the foundation of Manor Lords, but they are tricky to use properly, as you have to play chess with their lives to survive.

The population in Manor Lords is based on the families in your region. During the first few years of your rule, you have a limited number to work with. Each family assigned to a task has one primary worker with other members supporting them. Any unassigned families work on construction and/or manage your oxen to transport materials. Growing your population too quickly in Manor Lords, or not quickly enough, can lead to disaster.

During the first few years of establishing your region, there will be a shortage of families compared to the available jobs, forcing you to move them around like chess pieces on a board. Each season will require families to focus on different aspects of Manor Lordship survival. For example, firewood and food are essentials needed to survive. However, a lumber camp only needs a family to do the work if there is enough wood for construction and fuel.

The same goes for a Foraging Hut, since you can only pick berries when they're in season. Mines are great for resources, but can tax your labor by forcing families to dig for available resources and convert them into something useful, such as an Iron Mining Pit that requires a forge and a flower shop. Even a farm can go without a family after the seeds are sown. And don't forget about the unassigned families for construction.