The Indelibles

I'm posting over at the Indelibles site today. Go check it out
 HERE

Also, I'm about to start a series about research. I'm working on a novel called 
Gravediggers 
and it's set in a small town in Tennessee called Halls. 

Here's a picture of the Halls' Cemetery, the first stop on your tour.

Do you think it's important that the author have first hand knowledge of the settings in her book? 
Why or why not?