1. A processor accessible data storage system allowing for the storage of data representing a file system with a root-accessible directory-level snapshot structure comprising: a hierarchical structure for storing data including a root directory node, directory nodes, and file nodes; a representation of a snapshot of at least one branch of the hierarchical structure, at least one branch comprising a top node; and a sequence of at least one mini-snapshot node representing a path from the root directory node to the top node at the time of the creation of the snapshot, each mini-snapshot node comprising a reference from the mini-snapshot node to a child mini-snapshot node or the top node.