Combine the two ideas into a single sentence.

and

Explanation:

As the first sentences are showing their importance and the second sentence is still trying to mean the same thing. And, when it is trying to mean the same with two sentences , you have to use 'and' as a connector.

Hope, this helps you.

Mantenhas were important connections between separated family members and they still are.

Explanation:

its 2111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111