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

    • @[email protected]
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      214 hours 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 Applications of it might be a bit outdated, but I don’t think there is any more reason to show relations in a tree than “oh, that’s neat”.

      • @[email protected]OP
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        111 hours ago

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