The family tree of the family Van Gogh starts with Jan van Gogh and Jannetje den Meer, in 1575 in the vicinity of The Hague. in 1605 their first son was born: Gerrit janssen van Gogh. He was to become a soldier, tambour, bottelier and a silver keeper. The first Van Gogh with the first name Vincent was born in 1634. He was to become a soldier and a master in shoe making. A descendant, Vincent (1789-1874), was the first preacher in the family. Offspring of him also became also became preachers, artists or art dealers.