Why can’t I access hidden photos on my iPad Pro 2?

I have lost more family photos than you can shake a stick at from iPhones annd iPads I have owned, including my current ones. I am using iCloud. The only place left for me to look, according to Apple, is in “hidden photos” under “Utilities” in the Apple photo app. I have an iPad Pro 2 and it’s completely up to date on the OS. (I had to turn off my iPhone, due to being over full — time for a new phone, so I won’t even go there.) Does anyone in the world have any idea how to get to hidden photos? It isn’t being shown on my iPad. I’m sure the photos were deleted long ago by Apple, so I won’t hold my breath waiting for a response. This is a last ditch effort to find my lost photos.