Run a test with VFP SOUNDEX to get a feel for how it would work. The built-in SOUNDEX isn't very good, but can get you started.

>Hi Thomas . Thnaks for your reply
>
>All we have is names .. no additional details, se need a way of 'Approximating'
>e.g. John Henry == Jon Henry = John Henri
>I mean all these 'Sound' the same phonetically so If I use Levensthein , does that automatically do stuff like this
>other examples come to mind
> Mr.= Mister
>Dr. = Doctor
>etc
>
>Initially I am looking for some tool whcih will say cut the 2.5 million down somewhat
>
>Regards,
>Gerard
>
>