How to Find Obituaries in the Buffalo News Archives
When a loved one passes, the local newspaper obituary often becomes the first public record of a life. For Buffalo families and genealogy enthusiasts, the Buffalo News archives hold decades of these notices, but locating them can feel like searching a maze. Below is a practical walk‑through of what the archive offers, how to reach it, and a few shortcuts that save time.
What the Buffalo News Archive Actually Contains
The Buffalo News digitized its print edition beginning in the early 1990s, and most of that material is now searchable online. Obituaries appear as part of the daily “Life & Legacy” section, usually accompanied by a photograph, funeral service details, and occasionally a short tribute from friends or family. While the core content remains unchanged, newer entries often include hyperlinks to related articles, making the digital version richer than the original print.
Older notices—those printed before the 1990s—are also available, but they were scanned from microfilm and may contain occasional OCR errors. The good news is that the archive’s interface lets you toggle between the scanned image and the extracted text, helping you verify spelling or dates.
Free Access vs. Subscription: What You Need to Know
Anyone can browse the Buffalo News website and view headlines from the past week, but full obituary access generally requires a subscription. The paper offers several tiers:
- Basic digital subscription – includes all current articles and a limited number of archive pages per month.
- Archive add‑on – a modest monthly fee that unlocks unlimited searches of past obituaries dating back to 1900.
- Library or university access – many public libraries in Erie County provide remote login credentials for patrons; this is often the cheapest way to explore the archives.
If you only need a single notice, some libraries allow on‑site viewing without a personal subscription. Check the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s digital resources page for details.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Searching an Obituary
Here’s a quick, repeatable process that works whether you’re on a desktop or a phone:
- Go to the Buffalo News website. Look for the “Search” icon—usually a magnifying glass in the upper right corner.
- Select “Archive” from the dropdown menu. This filters results to older content only.
- Enter the name. Type the full name if you have it; otherwise start with a last name and use quotation marks for exact phrases (e.g., “Smith, Jane”).
- Refine by date. If you know the approximate year of death, use the calendar filter to narrow the window. The system accepts a range, such as 1975–1980.
- Review the results. Click on any headline that looks promising. You’ll see the scanned image at the top and the OCR text below.
- Save or print. Use the “Download PDF” button to keep a permanent copy, or click “Print” for a hard copy. Most libraries allow you to email the PDF directly to your account.
When the search returns too many hits, add a middle name or a known nickname to tighten the criteria. The archive also indexes the deceased’s place of residence, so adding “Buffalo” or “Erie County” can be helpful.
Tips for Genealogy Researchers
Obituaries are gold mines for family history. They often list surviving relatives, maiden names, and even military service details. To extract the most value:
- Cross‑reference the names you find with census records; a spouse’s maiden name mentioned in an obituary can unlock an entire branch.
- Look for the phrase “survived by”—the list that follows usually includes children, grandchildren, and siblings, each of whom may have their own notices.
- Take note of funeral home names; many still exist and keep their own archives, which can fill gaps when newspaper notices are missing.
- When OCR errors obscure a name, try the “Search within image” option (if available) or manually scroll through the scanned page.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Even seasoned researchers stumble over a few recurring issues:
Misspelled surnames. Older print often used phonetic spellings. If a search yields no results, try variations like “MacDonald” vs. “McDonald.”
Limited date coverage. While the archive stretches back over a century, there are occasional gaps—especially during newspaper strikes or major snowstorms when publication was delayed.
Paywalls. If you hit a subscription wall after several searches, pause and consider using a library portal. Many institutions have agreements that let you bypass the paywall entirely.
FAQ
Can I access Buffalo News obituaries for free?
Partial access is possible through public libraries that subscribe to the newspaper’s digital archives. Otherwise, a paid subscription or archive add‑on is required for unlimited viewing.
How far back do the online obituaries go?
The searchable collection includes notices from the early 1900s up to the present day. Earlier records exist on microfilm at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library but are not yet digitized.
What if I can’t find an obituary I’m sure exists?
Try expanding the date range, checking alternate spellings, or searching the deceased’s maiden name. If the notice still eludes you, consult the library’s microfilm archives or contact the funeral home listed in related notices.
Is it legal to download and share obituary PDFs?
Obituaries are public records, so downloading for personal use is generally permissible. Sharing them publicly—especially on commercial websites—may infringe on the newspaper’s copyright, so keep copies for personal research only.
