Same meaning?
After The Scream , Vince Neil temporarily replaced John Corabi in Motley Crue .
John Corabi replaced Vince Neil after the scream in Motley Crue .

Answer: no

Same meaning?
The small institutions that they founded would not have found them like universities -- they were tiny and did not offer higher degrees in medicine and theology .
The tiny institutions they founded would not have appeared to them like universities -- they were small and did not offer the higher qualifications in medicine and theology .

Answer: yes

Same meaning?
His father had been a blacksmith and an inventor and had worked in Scotland with the iron rope .
His father had been a blacksmith and inventor and had worked with an iron rope in California .

Answer: no

Same meaning?
Harvey had been the last to speak to Oates .
Harvey had been the last person to speak to Oates .

Answer:
yes