Since I last tested Ancestry in 2006, the company has revamped its desktop software program, Family Tree Maker, so the program can synchronize with Web-based data on Ancestry.com.

WSJ: Digging Deeper Into Roots With Spruced-Up Ancestry.com

Users who have spent years on Family Tree Maker software, which has been around for 23 years, will be able to sync data from their PCs to the Web version of their family trees.

WSJ: Digging Deeper Into Roots With Spruced-Up Ancestry.com

After using the Ancestry app on my iPad and adding records to my family tree, I easily synced that data with my desktop software by clicking a top-right button when I next opened the Family Tree Maker.

WSJ: Digging Deeper Into Roots With Spruced-Up Ancestry.com