Unfortunately, on December 25, 1989, my mother passed away at the age of 90, in a retirement home in Florida. And with her passing went any opportunity to ask about Aunt Jenny, who she was, where she lived and how I was related to her.

Now it became important that I obtain the answer to the identity of Aunt Jenny. Because I am the only member of my family remotely interested in dead relatives, I knew the job of finding the answer to this family question lay squarely upon my shoulders.

This was a true challenge, and I was thrilled at the prospect of delving into this family mystery. With any luck, I knew I could dig up information somewhere that would unravel the mystery, but it would take time and would surely take persistence.

My first step in solving this mystery was very close at hand: the family photo album. This album contained the only picture we had of a bearded, distinguished gentleman.

His name, Senator James E. MacMurray, was underneath the picture, and on the back of that picture were the words "5th District", which meant nothing to me, at least not yet.

With synchronicity working, the mail person delivered to my doorstep a hot off-the-press edition of a popular genealogy magazine to which I had recently subscribed.

Before I knew it, I was already at step two, the genealogy magazine. I quickly found an ad for the Illinois Historical Library. I was so excited at the prospect of finding someplace that might hold a clue; I immediately called the library.

The thought of waiting for the letter to get there and return was just too much to bear. I was fortunate to talk with a helpful resource librarian, an expert in her field.

One week later, as promised, the Senator's obituary arrived in the mail, along with a copy of the Blue Book of the State of Illinois, 1925 to 1926. The Senator had served in the 52nd-54th Illinois General Assembly. It was an information bonanza, from nothing to something. It was a wonderful feeling.

The Senator's obituary was packed with dates, places and names -- just the sort of information I was hoping to uncover. The MacMurray family had moved from Chicago to Pasadena, California, only 20 minutes away from where I live now.

Another pertinent piece of information was revealed; church services were from the First Methodist Church in Pasadena. I knew he attended church. My next step was to find the telephone number for the First Methodist Church in Pasadena, if this church, in fact, still existed.

After all, the Senator had passed away on July 2, 1943. Forty years had passed since his death, and the church might just have passed out of existence. I didn't know but I knew I had to find out.

Once again, I picked up the phone, dialed directory assistance and asked for the first four telephone numbers for Methodist churches in Pasadena, California. Intuition told me to call the first number on the list and sure enough, that was the right number. I had struck pay dirt!

The receptionist who answered the phone must have thought I was a real nut case because after she told me, yes, the Senator had attend church services there, I let out a whoop and wanted to do my "happy dance."

But business called. I was told the Senator and his wife had been long-time members of the church. The receptionist took my name and telephone number, and suggested that perhaps she could find someone among their older members who had known the family and could provide more information.

As my luck would have it, an hour and a half later, the phone rang. It was Senator MacMurray's third wife's daughter, Lorraine. I was elated. I had tracked down a real live person, one I could talk to about family.

Later that same week I was invited to visit Lorraine at her home in Pasadena. I was given the Senator's biography, "The Man from Missouri, The Story of James E. MacMurray," written in 1943. She also gave me the journal he had written during his school days in Illinois at Chaddock College, dating back to 1882.

Finally, the family puzzle had been solved. I now had all the pieces. In the Senator's obituary, there it was: the Senator's wife's name was Jenny Areson Rubel MacMurray.

My grandmother, Olive Aletta Spencer Van Court's second husband was Charles Wesley Areson. My step- grandfather Charles and Aunt Jenny were brother and sister. Aunt Jenny had passed away in 1941, the same year I was born. Charles W. Areson passed away on March 27, 1923, the same month and day my mother was born.

I was pleased with my detective work but I wasn't finished quite yet. I had to check out my mother's story about that elusive finishing school in Illinois. Well, there really is a MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Only in the 1920's it was called Illinois Women's College.

In 1930 the name was changed to MacMurray College for Women, in honor of James Edwin MacMurray a major benefactor of the college. Today it is simply known as MacMurray College, and in 1996 they celebrated their sesquicentennial.

Aunt Jenny is buried in a mausoleum in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, in a section called "Sanctuary of Prayer" high on a hill overlooking the valley below.

Interestingly, there is an empty vault next to Aunt Jenny. I believe two vaults were purchased at the time of Aunt Jenny's death, but why the empty vault? Where is her, husband, the Senator buried? Could this be the beginning of another relative mystery?