* Parents' Records: This is the most likely source. Your parents might have:
* Lesson plans or curriculum materials: These would be strong evidence, especially if dated.
* Progress reports or assessments: Any documentation of your work and achievements.
* Correspondence with educational authorities (if any): Some states required notification or record-keeping even then.
* Photographs or yearbooks: Pictures of you doing schoolwork at home could be helpful. If you were involved in homeschool groups, there might be photos or records from those.
* Personal journals or diaries: Entries referencing homeschooling would be valuable.
* Siblings or Family Witnesses: If you have siblings who were also homeschooled, their recollections and any records they possess could corroborate your story. Other family members who witnessed your homeschooling could offer affidavits.
* Local School District Records (unlikely): While unlikely, *if* your parents ever had any contact with the local school district regarding your homeschooling (for exemptions, etc.), there might be a record, though this is a long shot given the minimal regulations then.
* Religious Organization Records (if applicable): If your homeschooling was connected to a religious organization, their records *might* include some mention of you or your family.
* Friends and Neighbors (weak evidence): While testimony from people who remember you being homeschooled is possible, it’s weak evidence on its own and wouldn't stand up to rigorous scrutiny.
Important Considerations:
* State Laws Varied: Homeschooling regulations varied significantly by state in the early 1980s. Some states had virtually no regulations at all.
* Low Record-Keeping: Many homeschooling families kept minimal records, making proof difficult.
* Context is Key: The lack of robust documentation shouldn't be automatically taken as proof that you weren't homeschooled. The prevalence of homeschooling was far lower in the 1980s. Explaining the context and the reasons behind the lack of formal documentation would strengthen your case.
In short, you'll likely need to piece together evidence from multiple sources. The strongest evidence will be primary documentation from your family's records. The less formal and less regulated the environment was back then, the more challenging it will be to prove.