Finding a specific notice in the bucks county intelligencer obituaries can feel like trying to find a very small needle in a very large, paper-based haystack. I get it. Honestly, when a loved one passes or you're deep in the weeds of family tree research, the last thing you want is a complicated web interface that feels like it hasn't been updated since 2005.
The Intelligencer (or "The Intel" as locals call it) has been the heartbeat of Doylestown and the surrounding areas since the 1800s. Because of that long history, the records aren't all in one place. They're scattered across modern digital databases, microfilm rolls in basement libraries, and third-party legacy sites.
Where to find current Bucks County Intelligencer obituaries
If you're looking for someone who passed away recently—say, in the last few days or weeks—your best bet is the official digital portal. The newspaper currently partners with Legacy.com to host its death notices.
You can usually find these by heading to the "Obituaries" section on the PhillyBurbs website, which serves as the digital home for the Intelligencer and the Bucks County Courier Times.
Pro tip: don't just search the name.
Sometimes the digital tags are wonky. Try searching by the funeral home name or even just the town (like Doylestown or Warrington) if the last name is common. It’s kinda annoying, but it works when the search bar is being stubborn.
How much does it cost to post?
People always ask about the price. It’s not cheap. Prices for bucks county intelligencer obituaries generally start around $70 for a very basic notice, but honestly, once you add a photo and a few paragraphs about their life, you’re looking at significantly more.
The paper usually charges by the line or word. If you're working with a local funeral home like Reed and Steinbach or Varcoe-Thomas, they usually handle the submission for you. They have the templates ready and know the deadlines, which are typically 3:00 PM the day before publication.
Tracking down the old stuff (Genealogy and Archives)
This is where things get interesting—and a bit complicated. If you're looking for a relative from the 1940s or even the 1800s, Legacy.com won't help you.
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For the really old records, you have to go to the sources that the pros use:
- The Spruance Library: Located at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown. They have microfilm of The Intelligencer dating way back. It’s a physical trip, but the staff there are wizards at finding obscure names.
- GenealogyBank: This is a paid service, but they have digitized a massive chunk of the Intelligencer’s archives, including many from the 19th century.
- Bucks County Register of Wills: If you need an official record for legal reasons, the county archives in Doylestown hold records dating back to 1684. They charge about $25 for a name search if you can't go in person.
Why names sometimes "disappear" from the records
I’ve had people tell me they know their grandfather’s obit was in the paper, but they can't find it.
Usually, it’s a spelling thing. Back in the day, typesetters made mistakes. Or, the person might have been listed under their husband's name (e.g., "Mrs. John Smith" instead of "Mary Smith"). Also, remember that the Intelligencer and the Courier Times merged their digital presence a while back, so sometimes a search on one site will pull from the other.
How to write a notice that actually honors someone
Don't just list the facts. People tend to stick to the "born here, worked there, survived by" formula because they're stressed.
But the best bucks county intelligencer obituaries are the ones that mention the weird stuff. Did they make a legendary potato salad? Did they yell at the TV during Eagles games? Those details matter.
If you are writing one yourself, here is a quick checklist of what you actually need:
- Full legal name and any nicknames.
- Age and town of residence at the time of death.
- A list of survivors (don't forget the grandkids).
- Details for the service (date, time, and location).
- A specific charity for donations "in lieu of flowers."
Actionable steps for your search
If you're stuck right now trying to find a record, do this:
First, check the Legacy.com "Intelligencer" portal for anything from the last 20 years. If it’s older than that, skip Google and go straight to the Bucks County Historical Society’s online catalog.
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If you're looking for a very recent death and nothing is showing up, call the funeral home directly. Sometimes there's a delay between the service and the paper actually printing the notice, especially with the reduced print schedules many newspapers have adopted lately.
Finally, if you need a physical copy for a scrapbook, you can often order back issues of the paper, but you have to act fast—they don't keep extra copies in the warehouse forever.