I need to see contribution totals by families for a certain time period.

I need to see contribution totals by families for a certain time period.

Use the report type "Contribution export to .csv".  Put in a file name and email address.  Select family summary level and a date range.  Then under the contribution filters select the amount and date ranges you want to filter by.  Then run the report.  You will receive an email that you can open in a spreadsheet to sort and manage anyway you want.