relating different types of data (names)

[grades]

I need to relate one database (db1) with names only:

Name:
Smith, John

to another database (db2) with actual employee records:

empID          Lastname        Firstname
1234            Smith            John

Of course the names do not always match, database2 may look like this:
1234 Smith Jonathan (john)

i've set up a make table query to import names from db1 into db2 and try and make the names match up with this:

APPLICABLEAGENT: [lastname] & ", " & IIf(InStr([firstName],"(")=0,[firstName],Mid([firstname],1,InStr(1,[firstName],"(")-1))

I can then use this names field to relate back to the db1 table to do my calculations.
I am happy enough with how semi accurate this is, but some names are spelled differently, make have duplicates, etc. I can match up the rest manually. My question is how to match up the rest. And ideally, how to make it easy for the user to match them up.
I've run the old Unmatched Query Wizard and gotten a list of 47 names from db1 that could not find a home.

Now i have a table with 2 columns, excepting the PK:
ApplicableAgent - a list box lookup with a row source of:
SELECT [tbl Agent Errors Without Matching AgentIDs].AgentName FROM [tbl Agent Errors Without Matching AgentIDs];

and Payroll ID - a list box lookup based on the empID field, but displays the name as well.

My problem is that i am just getting weird results in this lookup table. Some duplicates, some names are pointed to the wrong payroll ID and i don't know why, and also it lists all employees - not just the 47 that need attention.
Unfortunately I don't know exactly the question to ask, typing out my problem usually helps me understand it better myself but in this case I need to ask if someone would know a proper or better way to accomplish this.
Thanks,
grades

 

[grades]

updated for clarity