You have numerous syntax errors and mistypings, but you are getting there so persist! I know it is a pain to begin with, but please do not comment out use warnings and use strict. Try to understand why warnings and error messages are produced - they are your friends.

Here is my version to be getting on with, but always remember TMTOWTDI:

#!/usr/local/bin/perl
#Family.pl
use strict;
use warnings;

my %family = ('Connie'   =>'Mama',
              'Brandy'   =>'Sissy',
              'Pete'     =>'Dude',
              'Tristan'  =>'Stinky',
              'Sophera'  =>'Finky',
              'Priscilla'=>'BearDawg');

print"Please type in your name: ";
my $name = <STDIN>;
chomp $name;         # It's good to chomp

 # Convert to lower case with uc first char
$name = ucfirst(lc $name);  

# Check for the absence of $name as a key
if( !exists $family{$name}) {
    print"Thank you $name for participating but you are not family.\n"
+;
}
else {
    print"Hey $family{$name}, thank you for being family!\n";
}
[download]

update: corrected chop to chomp (thank-you toolic)