Baptism: 12 Apr 1868 St John the Baptist, Toxteth, Lancashire, England
William Noble Dowthwaite - [Child] of Joseph Dowthwaite & Elizabeth
Abode 32 Northumberland Street
Occupation Greengrocer
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/Search/indexp.html
We had William Noble Dowthwaite back in reply number 1.
Hadn't we ruled him out, or is he back as a contender?
There is an earlier baptism for a William to Joseph and Elizabeth
Baptism: 1 Dec 1861 St John the Baptist, Toxteth, Lancashire, England
William Henry Dowthwaite - [Child] of Joseph Dowthwaite & Elizabeth
Abode: Northumberland St.
Occupation: Provision Dealer
On the 1871 census, there is a 9 year old William with Joseph and Elizabeth, not a 3 year old one.
That doesn't make sense.
In 1861 Joseph and Elizabeth are living at 32 Northumberland Street, he is a provision dealer. They have a 1 year old daughter Hannah. Joseph is born in Seburgham, Elizabeth in Penrith (Cumberland).
Although Joseph later changes to a house owner or proprieter, the couple's places of birth are consistent in later censuses, so I'm sure I have the right Joseph and Elizabeth.