Excel 2003 matching similar names from different columns some middle initial some dont

I have 2 sheets, The first sheet has Column A with Names (Last, First) and Column B Date (2012-03 etc.). The second sheet has very similar data. Column A with Names (Last, First Middle Initial) and Column B (2012-03 etc.). Some names have more date columns than others, I want to export these sheets into Access so I can match up dates but since some names have middle initials or Jr etc. in the name columns on the second sheet access does not match up the names. I have a 1000+ names and have doen it before it takes hours on hours to edit each name on one sheet to exactly match the other. Is there anyway I can get the names in the 2nd sheet to match the names on the first sheet since the names are very similar. I attached an example sheet that will make this much clearer. thank you for any help you can provide!Excel Forum Name Match.xls

I've played around a little.

Try the attached on for size; my general advice is, test IF you need to fix one thing, for each thing, and then stack all the "fixes" next to each other. Put another way, solve one exception at a time.

I dunno this will handle every problem, but I think this should get you pointed in the right direction with some solutions.

I figured it would have to be some step type process. I understand where you are going with this definitely will be a big help to eliminate some names but could you clarify what the first space and second space columns are doing? Thanks again