A text annotation structured storage method stores text annotations with associated type information in a structured data store. The present system persists or stores annotations in a structured data store in an indexable and queryable format. Exemplary structured data stores comprise XML databases and relational databases. The method exploits type information in a type system to develop corresponding schemas in a structured data model. The method comprises techniques for mapping annotations to an XML data model and a relational data model. The method captures various features of the type system, such as complex types and inheritance, in the schema for the persistent store. In particular, the repository provides support for path navigation over the hierarchical type system starting at any type.