Local Knowledge: Background and historical context in the novels

You write a story going on in their place, but a hundred years into the past. How can the atmosphere of past times in your words today? Local knowledge is so. And how do you get this kind of knowledge Paul, your characters have a hundred years, a year to walk and you're in the 21 Century building? Explored on foot, camera will be reliable and at a street corner and imagining everything and everyone, as it was in the past.
A good starting point, the city or town is your story is close or not, is the research on the Internet. Large cities have much less their own important tourist and business sites, the visitor information centers, museums, and announcements of exhibitions, historical society and genealogy sites and maps Galore. Look closely at all the sites that offer free brochures. Photographs as well as the usual restaurant and accommodation guides, maps and lists of companies, most of the tourist brochures and a brief history of the region.
Then go to your local library or bookstore, and find travel guide, where you are interested in these travel guides give a complete picture and the "Big" in your environment should be, and includes customs, history, current information and maps. Other books that are a treat for your search, are historical novels and nonfiction books, to sell are in similar situations. Non-fiction books added resource in the bibliography. Author interviews are an added advantage, the question hour in particular. Ask your questions prepared in advance and listen to the questions and answers to other viewers.
If you live your settings in the near or can travel there, the rest is as easy as driving out of the car or jump on a train. Book a tourist in one hikes. Put your walking shoes more comfortable, take your camera and a laptop, and off you go. Tours are tours to historic House Pub is a hike that goes from the costumes to your needs. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Connect them to your characters and plot, and you will not only relevant and accurate information, but can also be inspired to new areas and additional story ideas.
Visit the museum for this area, a list of historic houses, looking for a local public art often [historical] inspiration, the ticket through the museums and art galleries to visit cultural events and participation in festivals writer.
In fact, the accuracy of your novels, you should be significantly improved. Remember to take lots of pictures and notes, and collect brochures, leaflets and cards for every occasion. These are all resources that you can conduct in the future. Good research is reflected in every paragraph.
The next step is to the streets of your novel about the settings on your own foot if it is safe or with a friend, if you prefer. If you already know the most appropriate locations to a second or third detail of cement in the head back. Walls, wander through the gardens and the flowers smell, hear, to imagine the traffic and how it will be called within the period of your story needs. Their characters, they will march on the street and see the building itself, more importantly, your readers can connect and relate to the realism that you have put on the sides.