Profile data can be removed or not recorded several ways;

• 1) Running Firefox in Private Mode (nothing is recorded)
• 2) Privacy settings; (In the address bar, type about:preferences#privacy<enter>)
• 3) Many disk cleaners and anti-virus type programs can remove data from browsers. Open their settings and have them leave the browsers alone.
• 4) Mal-ware.

You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.

• use "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Locked_or_damaged_places.sqlite
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file

If "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files Firefox profile folder. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

• keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

I couldn't get places.sqlite to open after I closed firefox I tried "Verify Integrity" and got: "> Task: checkIntegrity - Unable to check database integrity > Task: invalidateCaches - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: checkCoherence - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: expire - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: vacuum - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: stats - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task. > Task: _refreshUI - The task queue was cleared by an error in another task."

All of these technical fixes are beyond my capabilities. I'm not at all technical. It's such a pity that Mozilla doesn't offer technical assistance and has to rely on hit or miss blogs.

Oh, after I closed Firefox to do the .sqlite thing, my bookmarks in the bookmark toolbar disappeared again.

Like I posted above, if "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page cannot repair places.sqlite then remove all places.sqlite files Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

• keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_process_the_backup_file_-_Firefox

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

So are you sure your history settings aren't checked where everytime you close FF it clears cache cookies and history? I have attached a screenshot does your setting look like mine or not?

I don't know where your screenshot came from. I went to preferences > History It said the Firefox will "remember history"

That screenshot came from;

Type about:preferences#privacy<enter> in the address bar.

The button next to History, select Use Custom Settings.

Turn off Always Use Private Browsing Mode Turn on Remember My Browsing And Download History At the bottom of the page, turn on Clear History When Firefox Closes. At the far right, press the Settings button. Turn on Cache and Form And Search History.

https://prod-cdn.sumo.mozilla.net/uploads/images/2018-02-13-22-00-03-7bab34.png

I tried to attache a screen shot of the area you defined "HIstory"... as it appears on my Firefox Preferences.

It's not the same as yours

Follow the instructions I posted above.

Did you go to the profile folder and delete places.sqlite?

That is probably the only way to recover unless Firefox detects that the file is corrupt and rename the file to places.sqlite.corrupt create a new places.sqlite file.