The genealogy of the Van Gogh family begins with Jan van Gogh and Jannetje den Meer, in 1575 near The Hague. In 1605 they had a son, Gerrit Jansen van Gogh. He was a soldier, tambourine, bottler and silver keeper. The first Van Gogh with the first name Vincent was born in 1634. He was a soldier and master shoemaker. A descendant, Vincent (1789-1874), was the first preacher in the family. Descendants of his also became ministers, artists or art dealers.
