From developing initial ideas to finding sources, identifying contributors and, if required, organising shoots, I can help make your story stand out. I also have extensive experience in sourcing unique archive material, such as films, photographs, documents and public domain media. I am familiar with international licensing procedures and provide photo retouching services.
I can assist with background research by compiling relevant information on any topic from a variety of sources, scouring archives or libraries on your behalf, summarising data, copying records or interviewing people. The data is made available by using the most convenient digital platform, wherever you are in the world.
Let me help you in researching your family history or track down relatives you have lost sight of. While I have access to a wide range of databases, I often have had to go one step further and painstakingly unearth and analyse other sources of information including public records, social media and one-to-one interviews.
I am a professional freelance researcher. In a world of information overload, I am able to source and track down the right information to help take your projects forward.
Previously, I was an assistant producer and archive producer on a range of critically acclaimed programmes for British and international TV channels, including the BBC, Channel Four and CNN.
Well travelled, fluent in French and German, discreet and reliable (as a Swiss, it’s in my genes), I have a Masters in International Relations and a Masters in Documentary Production.
I have been an independent researcher for many archives and collections, including the National Archives, the British Library and the National Maritime Museum in London.
In recent years, I have broadened my research skills, with experience in film and photo analysis, people search and business intelligence.
When not working, I enjoy argentic photography, dark room processing (I have a particular interest in processing old undeveloped films retrieved from vintage cameras), collecting amateur films, cooking and running.
I have a strong record in delivering tailored research from a range of international sources (documents, photographs and films, recordings, public records, online databases, etc.) in several languages.
Having worked on a variety of television documentaries, I know how important it is to work on time and within a strict budget.
Each research project is undertaken with attention to detail, efficiency, integrity and discretion.
Gregor sourced ALL the archive we used in (the Salisbury Poisonings) and made a massive contribution to the success of the series. Creatively he was incredibly responsive and inspired with the archive he sourced (...) and was also incredibly responsible and reassuring in keeping a handle on the extremely challenging budget he had to work with, ensuring a first class professional service was delivered and all necessary global licenses were acquired. I (...) highly recommend him.
Chris Carey, executive producer - dancingledgeproductions.co.uk
"I worked with Gregor on Rise of the Nazis. The archival material he found was so powerful, chilling and surprising we changed the entire approach to editing the series so that we could allow the archive film the space to be absorbed by the audience free of narration or interference. Gregor’s work surpassed all expectations I had about what unseen archival material might be out there about this period of history. Brilliant work."
Julian Jones, director & producer - 72films.com
"A very big thank you for all the help and information you have found for me. We are so pleased with your efforts and our behalf, if needed again, I would not hesitate to use you, and to give your name to anybody who wants that service."
Doug J., East Sussex (UK)
"You have done a remarkably comprehensive job, which has intrigued my children. Thank you."
“Gregor worked with us as an archive researcher and then archive producer from pre-script to delivery on The Eichmann Show. He played a central role in sourcing and negotiating the rights for all the archive we used across eight countries, was brilliant at working to the budget and extremely creative. He also found footage no one knew existed and played a key role in the success of the project.”
Laurence Bowen, Executive Producer - www.dancingledgeproductions.co.uk
“Gregor is an expert in his field and one of the best archive researchers I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He over-delivers on brief and budget and is extremely efficient. I would highly recommend him for any archive project!”
Fiona Fletcher - www.back2back.co.uk
“Resourceful, tenacious and creative, Gregor’s contribution to The First World War on both page and screen was immense, and rightly recognised by the judges of the History Today award. I would have no hesitation in warmly recommending him for any research job.”
Andrew Gordon, publisher - www.davidhigham.co.uk
“Gregor has worked as a researcher for me on two documentary film projects. Both required information from a variety of English and foreign sources – academic, archival and visual. He performed admirably in all areas. He also displayed exceptional thoroughness and tact in finding potential interviewees.”
Martin Smith, director & series producer
“Our problem was to unearth the provenance of an 80-year old archive of photographic slides from the Balkans. From only the most meagre clues, Gregor solved the problem with the resourcefulness of a skilled detective. A remarkable achievement and a book now in progress as a result.”
Prof. Randall Baker & Dr Bob Speer - lyme-regis.com
“Gregor unearthed a treasure trove of archive. He was diligent, thorough and most importantly intelligent and able to take a lateral approach to the research and explore hitherto unconsidered lines of enquiry.”
Fiona Cotter Craig, producer
Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
+49 (0) 151 75002030
gregor@murbachresearch.com
Let me know more about your project and I will get back to you as soon as possible.