edit: The reason I find it an odd term is because human ancestry literally doesn’t follow a line. It always branches off, even if only to just include two parents. It’s a tree like structure, a line would misrepresent it

    • Mesophar@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      2 months ago

      It’s just different use cases. A tree would show relations to the individual, a line just proves they descended from a particular person. Applications of it might be a bit outdated, but I don’t think there is any more reason to show relations in a tree than “oh, that’s neat”.

      • Boomkop3@reddthat.comOP
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        2 months ago

        That tree actually provides quick and easy insight into who you’re related to. Which is quite helpful especially in smaller isolated communities