Q: how to save contacts

Realizing this question or challenge is circa 2011, three years ago, I have recently lost many contacts. It started last December when I upgraded iPads. I presumed the Contacts were safely stored in the Cloud when I upgraded iPads then a few weeks later upgraded my iMac (2011 21.5") to  iOS 10.7 Mavericks.

I surmise Apple did not test for these situations and think through it broadly enough to grasp all the problems that could occur. Apple advisors have tried to help solve this and many other problems, however, when they run out of knowledge and skill I get transferred to another Advisor to struggle some more. The advisors are so patient and respectful but I think they need more training in the field and hanging on to users' heels.

The early Sioux Indians were famous for this saying: "I will not criticize another Sioux until I have walked a mile in his (her) moccasins."