git filter branch - how to rename/unite directories by git for all commits -

let exist git repo following directory structure (it converted svn):

/ release 1   sub_dir1     somefiles1   sub-dir2     somefiles2 release 2   sub_dir1     somefiles1   sub-dir2     somefiles2 release 3   sub_dir1     somefiles1   sub-dir2     somefiles2 ... 

annotation history of svn repo:

every year cleaver body took latest release , copyed new release next number @ same repo. sub-dir/files structure releases same. every release has different history periods.

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for each commit (hole repo) how to: 1 rename releasex roots 1 directory named "release"? 2 keep/unite commit history files of releases?

result repo must looks like:

/ release   sub_dir1     somefiles1   sub-dir2     somefiles2 

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alternatively can reconvert each releasex svn separate repox. each repox need rename releasex release. need unite repos... ugrhh. think it's rakerway

the current approach seems on complicated.

something chew on:

have considered creating separate branches each release, versus creating new directory every time? quick git checkout release-1 take release 1 source -- similar cd release-1/

 --o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o---o-master/latest release   |               |                   |    \--release-1    \--release-2        \--release-3 

this allows git merge branch(es) you'd like. approach may cut down repo size (bonus!), performance reasons.

possible inspiration: http://nvie.com/posts/a-successful-git-branching-model/

this allows easier patching. can make fix on release-1, , generate patches other releases quite easily.