One of the most interesting areas of research in any parish is to look at the Church Records.  It became law in 1538,for each Parish to keep its own set of records of baptisms, marriages and burials.  Each year as well, a copy of the records was sent in to the Bishop's Office, unless he was making his Visitation that year, so in theory, we should be able to trace everyone's family in England back to that date. 
Of course, it doesn't work like that!  At first, records were kept on loose sheets, easily lost.  Record Books got thrown away, or eaten by rats, watermarked, or used to wrap up someone's dinner! Sometimes they are all there, but are just too faint to read without ultra-violet light. Or the Clerk's writing was atrocious - some things never change! However, now most old record books are conserved in County Record Offices, and have also, often been filmed, so they can be consulted without further damage to the originals.

The Church Records, of the Parish of Pentney kept at the Norfolk County Record Office, date from about 1730, and go up to 1903.  They are available on Microfiche from the Office, or can be consulted there.